Why is this important?
Valuable biodiversity resources are to be protected in oil and gas areas of operation. Within OMV Petrom, current operations and new developments must consider the potential impact on biodiversity.
Our commitment
All our efforts prioritize health, safety, security, and protection of the environment. At OMV Petrom, protection of the environment includes protection of biodiversity.
Environmental Management Standard of the Group includes requirements on biodiversity, meaning that all OMV Petrom activities shall minimize disturbance to protected areas and local flora and fauna. The HSSE Policy is part of our EMS, communicated and verified in the certification process. Impacts and mitigation measures are outlined in accordance with the permits obtained for each of our sites. Additional measures implemented are included in EMS 14001. Mitigation and remedial measures are implemented for significant impacts identified in agreement with the environmental authorities during the regulatory assessment procedure. Permitting and assessment procedures are applicable in all operation countries, at OMV Petrom Group level.
When significant impacts have been observed or predicted, the mitigation hierarchy is followed, and action planning prioritizes the avoidance and minimization of impacts rather than restoration and offsetting.
The EMS 14001 is regularly audited for recertification, and monitoring is performed according to our permits in place during works and operation.
As part of the EMS 14001, training on biodiversity is provided in the larger context of environmental training. Biodiversity topic is on the Agenda of the Environmental Workshops in the Group held on a regular basis.
In 2022, we worked specifically on the inventory of protected areas potentially impacted by our activities. 10 major operational areas were identified as parts of the property area inside or adjacent, within the 1 km buffer, to NPAs.
In 2022, we continued with a Biodiversity Impact Assessment for Petromar Asset. Following the desktop assessment reviewing the official GIS database for Natural Protected Areas (NPAs), the new Study’s result revealed that the operations do not have a significant impact on biodiversity values in those protected areas. From the assessment conducted by external parties, it is concluded there is no direct pressure on biodiversity from oil & gas activities. The only threats for biodiversity could be considered from potential major accidental events for which OMV Petrom is considering the risks management.
The total surface area inside the NPAs is accounting approximately 2% of the total operational surface in Romania. We operate inside various types of NPAs such IUCN Category II-V, RAMSAR, Natura 2000, Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Sites. Most of these NPAs are Natura 2000 sites.
The following table indicates the results of the study finalized at the end of 2022 indicating proximity to NPAs and associated IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations.
| Location | Major Operational Sites | Inside/ overlapping Natural Protected Area (NPA) – (NPA category) | Overlapping surfaces (%) | Ecosystem categories (inside/ overlapping) | Proximity to Natural Protected Area (NPA) (buffer 1km) (NPA category) | Type of operation | Biodiversity listed value – inside/ overlapping or adjacent (1 km buffer) (Critical IUCN Red list species) |
| Romania | E&P |
| 2.01 | Terrestrial, Freshwater, Marine |
| Extractive | 12 species: Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser nudiventris, Acipenser stellatus, Anguilla anguilla, Bradyporus montandoni, Cricetus cricetus, Huso huso, Hypnum fertile, Melanopsis parreyssii, Mustela lutreola, Romanichthys valsanicola, Scardinius racovitzai |
| Romania | R&M |
| 0.11 | Terrestrial |
| Energy Production | 8 species: Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser nudiventris, Acipenser stellatus, Anguilla anguilla, Cricetus cricetus, Huso huso, Hypnum fertile, Mustela lutreola |
| Romania | Petrobrazi Refinery | 0 | 0 | Terrestrial | 0 | Chemicals Production | 3 species: Mustela lutreola, Anguilla anguilla, Cricetus cricetus |
| Romania | Brazi Power Plant | 0 | 0 | Terrestrial | 0 | Energy Production | 3 species: Mustela lutreola, Anguilla anguilla, Cricetus cricetus |
11 major operating units identified (Upstream Assets and Downstream Retail units in Romania) part of the property area inside or adjacent to NPAs.
NPA Inventory results | ||
Type of protected area | Inside an OMV Petrom operational area boundaries | Adjacent (within 1 km) to an OMV Petrom operational area |
IUCN Category II – V | 5 | 10 |
RAMSAR | 3 | 4 |
Natura 2000 | 10 | 10 |
Biosphere Reserve | 1 | 2 |
World Heritage Site | 1 | 1 |
In 2022, we completed the mapping of all our sites in a formal and harmonized way to determine if any are in EU or internationally protected areas.
In accordance with the operation permits, we ensure that we conduct our activities to the highest standard for protection of biodiversity resources, also applying recommendations from the recent studies, which focus on vigilance for prevention.