Remediation can be a costly process for the client, particularly when dealing with regional sites. In 2013 a major oil client engaged Kleinfelder to manage the community, regulatory, and remediation aspects of a co-mingled plume located in regional NSW.

Bearing Expensive Contamination Charges

Regulatory drivers required this client to undertake remediation of a co-mingled plume that had a long and complicated history with local stakeholders, third-party purchaser, and regulator involvement. On top of expensive waste disposal costs, the site’s location in a rural regional area required the client to take on significant mobilisation charges. Kleinfelder needed to develop a cost-effective strategy for remediating the actual plume to make this project a possibility for the client and not accrue regulatory fines.

Regulatory Approval for Remediation Alternatives

Kleinfelder first reviewed the actual risk associated with the plume to satisfy the regulator and looked for ways to eliminate the requirement for large scale remediation fixed system implementation. After establishing the risk profile and stability of the plume, Kleinfelder worked closely with the client to gain approval from the regulator for removing the requirement for the fixed system. To further convince the regulator, Kleinfelder implemented a carbon flux measurement regime to demonstrate attenuation of the plume via natural microbiological process.

Project Results

Kleinfelder’s new proposed strategy, accepted by the regulator, saved the client between $600,000 and $900,000 in remediation system design, building, installation, and maintenance costs.

Project Details

Location:
Moree, New South Wales

Owner:
Major Oil Company