The Finance Minister and Minister in charge of Oil and Gas Affairs, Shaikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, officially opened the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) at the Bapco Refinery and applauded the efforts for a landmark achievement and raising the Bapco’s environment standards even higher.
The WWTP Project has been implemented as part of BAPCO’s Environmental Strategic Plan in line with the requirements laid down by the Supreme Council for the Environment at a total cost of US$ 120 Million. This new plant will provide secondary treatment to the Refinery waste water that is received from the existing primary treatment facility, is based on 4-stage membrane bio reactor technology and will be the first global installation of this size in any Refinery waste water treatment facility. With this Project, Bapco and Bahrain have been put on the world map for using innovative technologies in environmental conservation.
The process design for the new Plant was finalized by CH2MHILL, one of the world’s leading process consultants in the waste water treatment business. Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) was managed by GS E&C, a leading South Korean EPC company.
The project effectively implemented BAPCO’s contracting philosophy to maximize use of local content in the purchase of goods and services. More than US$ 34 million, which amounts to nearly half of the EPC contract value, was spent by GS E&C in purchasing materials and services locally thus supporting local businesses and employment.
The project has also provided opportunities for the employment in Bapco, development and growth of approximately 15 young Bahrainis that have been hired and trained in the operations and maintenance of this world-class facility.
The Minister said that post-commissioning of the WWTP, BAPCO will meet and exceed the minimum standard set in Bahrain’s environmental regulations for aqueous discharge to the sea thereby protecting the marine life in Bahrain waters. The Minister further said that Bapco has reiterated its commitment as an environmentally responsible company by developing Bahrain’s longest landscaping covering a span of 2 kilometers near Maameer area at a total value of US$ 2.2 Million as part of the project.
HE also commended the efforts of BAPCO management and the project team in terms of safety performance which was exemplary with over 3.5 million man-hours without a single Lost Time Accident.
The Minister was joined at the inauguration by Bapco’s Chairman and Acting Chief Executive, Board of Directors and Executive Management team and representatives from the design and construction contractor organizations.