Environment Protection Rules 1986

This regulation stablishes standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants and requires annual environmental statements from companies holding associated authorizations. Furthermore, it defines that all gaseous emissions from oil facilities must be flared. Elevated flares must be used except where it might affect crop production, in which case, ground flares can be used. In addition, the Environment Protection Rules provide requirements with respect to flares, including minimum stack freight, height of stack and necessary green belt.

In relation to the petroleum oil refinery sector, the following requirements are set out in the Rules:

• The Rules mandate the proper selection, installation, and maintenance of non-leaking or leak-tight equipment to control fugitive emissions from equipment leaks. The equipment must be tested after commissioning and thereafter monitored for leak detection as part of a permanent on-going Leak Detection and Repair (“LDAR”) programme. Detected leaks must also be repaired within specified time frames. Repairs are required to be started within 5 working days and completed within 15 working days after detection of leaks for general hydrocarbons, except in the case of components with visible leaks, in which case repairs are to be completed immediately. The LDAR programme covers hydrocarbon gases and is applicable to various components, including block valves, control valves, and pump seals. 
• The Rules require petroleum oil refineries to calculate emissions from leaking components using stratified emission factors (based on U.S. EPA factors) or any other superior factors and establish their total fugitive emissions. In addition, refineries are required to document the data on time of measurement and concentration value for leak detection, time of repair of leak, and time of measurement and concentration value after repair of leak for all components 
• The Rules set out the maximum permitted percentage of leaking components in petroleum oil refineries (10% for pumps and compressors and 2% for all other monitored equipment). 'Leaks' are defined to mean the detection of volatile organic compounds (including general hydrocarbons) at concentrations higher than specified values by using a hydrocarbon analyser.

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