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Sustainable remediation

We design solutions in agreement with all stakeholders and with respect for the environment.

About sustainable remediation and why we support it

Integrating sustainability principles into remediation means identifying the best solutions in terms of environmental, social and territorial impact. As well as fully involving the stakeholders in the decision-making process, we aim to ensure that the following objectives are met:

  • protection of human health and the environment
  • removal of contaminants from groundwater and soil, with a strong focus on their recovery and reuse
  • application of innovative and sustainable technologies with regard to environmental, social and economic impact
  • encouraging the re-use and regeneration of areas in line with spatial planning tools, starting from the project design phase
  • reducing the carbon footprint of remediation activities.

Types of remediation

Remediation processes can be classified according to where they are carried out:

Recovery and/or treatment operations whereby contaminants are managed in place at within the natural matrix, without the need for excavation or handling.

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Phytoremediation

Less invasive, as the contaminated environmental matrix is treated on-site.

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Soil storage for soil washing

The treatment of the contaminated environmental matrix takes place away from the site of origin. Eni Rewind does not favour this type of treatment, as it has a major impact on the environment.

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Excavation and disposal

Remediation techniques

We manage all aspects and phases of every remediation project, from characterisation analysis of the various environmental matrices, to the design, execution of works and post-operational monitoring, in full compliance with current environmental legislation and with a view to the future use of restored areas as well as the application of innovative technologies.  When making decisions, we take into account the type of contamination in relation to possible environmental and human receptors, i.e. the characteristics of the specific contaminant. We also assess the environmental benefits and future reuse of the area, preferring those that restore soil and water in place, without resorting to excavation and disposal, and minimising the impacts of the interventions.

The remediation technologies handbook

Creating innovation in the complex world of environmental remediation is a commitment that requires a great deal of expertise. In our remediation technologies Handbook, we include what we have learnt and confirmed through years of experience of carrying out many complex projects throughout the country, as well as an overview of Eni's innovative technologies and methodologies. This comprehensive overview takes the specific type of contaminants and the environmental context into account, with diagrams, infographics and photographs. It is not only intended for professionals, but also those without a specific background who would like to understand remediation better.

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Our handbook

An overview of the best remediation technologies for a contaminated site.

DOWNLOAD THE DOCUMENT

Research for innovation

Developing increasingly innovative and environmentally friendly solutions and overcoming any critical issues linked to the intervention methodology is fundamentally important to Eni Rewind. In this regard, scientific and technical competences are key elements for testing new technologies and implementing others. The aim is to make progress in terms of environmental sustainability and the effectiveness of interventions, as well as energy efficiency and safety. At Eni, research activities are mainly carried out by the Renewable Energy and Environment Research Centre (Novara) and the Oil & Gas Laboratory (San Donato Milanese), as well as through a network of collaborations with various Italian and foreign universities. We have alliances with the Polytechnics of Milan and Turin, the Universities of Sapienza in Rome, Ca' Foscari in Venice and Alma Mater Studiorum in Bologna, the National Research Council and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

E-hyrec® is an automatic device that is placed inside groundwater extraction wells for the selective removal of hydrocarbons (LNAPL - Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid or supernatant) from the aquifer. The core of the technology is a hydrophobic filter (patented by Eni) that separates and extracts just the contaminants, greatly reducing the amount of water and waste sent for disposal. Compared to traditional systems, the use of the e-hyrec® device guarantees faster, more effective and efficient groundwater remediation, making an important contribution to the protection and conservation of water resources. By December 2022, thanks to the 60 e-hyrec® devices installed at our sites in Gela, Priolo Gargallo and Porto Torres, as well as at the remediation sites of several service stations, we recovered around 500,000 litres of supernatant oil, in significantly less time than traditional technologies, and avoided sending over 2,000 tonnes of water for disposal. Having launched our environmental services beyond the Eni captive market, the device is also available to third-party customers.

The e-limina® method (acronym for eni linking isotopic and microbial investigations aid natural attenuation), born from Eni research, consists of the combination of two monitoring systems, microbiological fingerprinting and isotopic fingerprinting, in order to establish the existing biodegradation status of contaminants and evaluate the opportunity for biological treatment. It has been developed and validated for volatile organohalogenated compounds and hydrocarbons and is applicable to any type of matrix both during characterisation, to determine the natural attenuation phenomena already present, and during monitoring to verify with hight accuracy the biodegradation status of contaminants and the progress of the remediation intervention in real time.

 

The passive sampling technique using low density polyethylene sheets is a monitoring methodology, developed in cooperation with Eni research, the University of Rome Tor Vergata and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, that makes it possible to assess the leaching of contaminants from soil to groundwater and their volatilisation from soil to surface use, based on the use of films of polyethylene (LDPE). This makes it possible to quantify the distribution of organic contaminants in sediments and soils and volatile organic compounds in soil gas, with the aim of identifying more targeted environmental interventions. The passive sampling is also being studied within the scope of the agreement between Unione Energie per la Mobilità (the former Petroleum Union), and  ISPRA-SNPA, aimed at developing innovative reclamation and sampling methods. The objective is to test and validate its applicability as a simple and alternative tool to traditional monitoring systems. Joint testing and validation campaigns are currently underway at different Eni Rewind sites.

Eni Rewind’s Partnerships with Universities

Ongoing interaction with universities enables us to continue selecting, developing and updating technologies with a focus on sustainability. We have validated the model for assessing the sustainability of environmental techniques and measures with the Ca' Foscari University of Venice Foundation. This collaboration will also lead to the drafting of an Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) Guideline applicable to water, soil and sediment matrices that are potentially affected by contamination. This is the first reference for standardising ecological risk analysis in Italy. These assessments will be tested on practical case studies to verify their applicability for real remediation situations. At the same time, collaborations and joint projects continue with:

  • the Sapienza University of Rome on innovative groundwater treatment subjects, with field trials of recirculation wells and reactive permeable barriers
  • the Polytechnic of Milan to study and test the applicability of thermal desorption technologies and the application of innovative technologies for the abatement of certain pollutants in production waters
  • the Polytechnic University of Turin for research into innovative solutions for the treatment of groundwater and water related to mining activities, and the experimental application of technologies based on the use of nanoparticles for the abatement of certain classes of contaminants
  • the Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna for new research initiatives in the areas of sustainability, circularity and creating value in the Water & Waste sectors
  • the University of Rome Tor Vergata for testing innovative environmental survey tools.

Environmental laboratories

Eni Rewind's environmental laboratories in Ferrara, Priolo Gargallo and Assemini are national benchmarks for matrix sampling and analysis. They have vast experience in national and international scientific circles and numerous collaborations with universities, research institutes and standardisation bodies. The three centres are equipped with modern, constantly updated, high-tech scientific instruments and are able to support research activities relating to the design and implementation of remediation interventions. Our laboratories have achieved multi-site ACCREDIA accreditation, in accordance with the requirements of UNI EN ISO IEC 17025, for the main soil, groundwater, wastewater and gaseous emissions analyses.