Integral Protection

Environmental regency in the area of distribution

The Department of Integral Protection assesses the security measures of the operations, and safeguards the environment in contact with our facilities, personnel and clients.

The department must ensure the well-being, physical and mental health of the staff. The activities carried out in 2007 to achieve this purpose are as follows:

A. Environmental Programs

1. Environmental certification: The certification Ecological Flag granted by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) was obtained once again for the terminals in La Garita ad Barranca.  This certification is valid for one more year.

2. Conclusion of the project RECOPE-PETROBRAS: 42 officers of the Company were trained in August on best practices when dealing with hazardous materials. The workshop was given in our facilities by experts from the company Petroleos Brasileiros (Petrobras). Also, as part of the project, five officials from RECOPE traveled to Brazil, in March, to receive training on land and water spills, and also visit their facilities.

3. Compliance of regulations: During 2007, the provisions of the Ministry of Health were successfully met, thus maintaining sanitary permits current at all our facilities.

4. Purchase of special equipment: 25 autonomous respiratory equipments were purchased for the staff of first response of Barranca, La Garita, El Alto de Ochomogo and Turrialba. Equipment and materials for emergency response in rivers and at sea were also purchased at a cost of over ¢ 100 million, as well as a telemetric device to control residuals that was installed in the API separator campus of La Garita.

A study of environmental and safety vulnerability of the poliduct between Limon and Turrialba was also completed.

B. Safety and Occupational Hygiene Programs

1. First Response Brigades: During 2007, the support and advice to the work of the Brigades of First Response continued in all the plants and pumping stations of the Company, through the implementation of practices in the workplace and training in the refinery.

In order to exchange experiences, the brigades from El Alto de Ochomogo and La Garita participated in a meeting organized by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE). The coordinators of the brigades of Barranca, La Garita and El Alto de Ochomogo attended training in fire fighting at the University of Texas, USA.

2. Attention of deliveries in Puerto Caldera: For deliveries in Caldera, the Department of Integral Protection provided services in the areas of health, safety and environment as to meet the recommendations and provisions of national entities that regulate and authorize such operations in the country.

3. Drills: Several evacuation and FIRE drills were performed in the distribution facilities of RECOPE in order to identify weaknesses and opportunities to improve and optimize the capacity of the Company to face real situations. 

4. Fire fighting equipment: Purchased of a portable motor pump of 2000 gallons to be used in case of an emergency and during the unloading of diesel in the port of Caldera.  Other fire fighting equipment was also purchased and will be installed in the terminals and pumping stations

C. Health Programs

1. Dengue Control Program: Through cleansing campaigns and constant monitoring in the workplace, the effort remained at all facilities of the Company to eliminate hotbeds for the mosquito.

2. Program of alcohol screening in breathable air: To help with the security measures that apply in the discharge of fuel at the port of Caldera, a program of alcohol screening in breathable air for workers who collaborate in these operations was implemented both in Puerto Caldera and in Barranca.

Environmental Accomplishments of the Management of Refinery

The environmental administration in the Refinery Management is seen from a perspective of continuous improvement. Assuming this commitment as a way of life, only timely and not deteriorating improvements are allowed. During 2007, the following can be highlighted as progress:

In the first half of the year, the most relevant was the handling of sludge and ferrous material that come from the work in tanks 728 and 731

On the other hand, upon request from Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, assistance was provided to receive and treat the sludge contaminated with hydrocarbons, produced by the private service station that operates in Barreal de Heredia, which contaminated the aquifer. These wastes were deposited in the dry dock for treatment.

In the API 10.000 GPM, the labyrinth located between the lagoon and Parshall in the canal towards the Moin River was finished.