1. Bioremediation of Large Scale Batches – A Case Study of Treating Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soils from Oil Fields of Kuwait

    Vangala K, Aljumah K, AlFaresi F

    Project Management Team, Kuwait Oil Company, Ahmadi, Kuwait.

    Abstract:

    The Kuwait desert was severely damaged by the detonation and destruction of oil wells and associated infrastructure at the hands of Iraqi troops during the 1990-1991 Gulf War (Nada et al, 2020). Most of the damages were from the aftermath of the burning of around 800 oil wells which were exploded. Subsequently, the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC), established a program known as the Kuwait Environmental Remediation Program (KERP) to undertake comprehensive and collaborative remediation of the contaminated land that has an estimated volume in the region of 26 million m3 (Nada et al, 2020). This program is entrusted to Kuwait National Focal Point (KNFP) for its oversight and stakeholders for implementation.

    This paper represents the complete overview of the process activities undertaken for the fifteen (15) large-scale batches with each batch weighing around 9000 Tons of contaminated soil treated through bioremediation. The deployed bioremediation process encompassed various stages, beginning with the screening and crushing of contaminated soil followed by weighing and placing at the Treatment Area Center (Ex-Situ). Post placing, the activities included baseline sampling, bioaugmentation using indigenous microbes, tilling and irrigation. The periodical progress sampling was undertaken to verify that each batch had undergone degradation of contamination and a final verification sample was taken when the batch was expected to achieve a Remediation Target Criteria (RTC) of less than 1% TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons). All results for each batch including soil quantities, baseline concentrations, verification values, field readings, amendment additions, tilling and irrigation, days to reach RTC info is provided in this paper.

    Pages: 53 – 61 | Full PDF Paper

  2. Kuwait Environmental Remediation Program (KERP): Strategy of Landfill Inspections, Maintenance and Monitoring in North Kuwait and South East Kuwait

    Aisha Al-Barood1, Faisal Burhamah2, Srinivasan Vedhapuri3 and Binu Sudhakaran4

    Abstract:

    The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC), Kuwait National Focal Point (KNFP) and Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) cooperated in a joint project to undertake comprehensive and collaborative efforts to remediate 26 million m3 of crude oil contaminated soil that had resulted from the Gulf War in 1990/1991. This project is part of the Kuwait Environment Remediation Program (KERP) and will be implemented within the KOC’s oilfields in North and South East Kuwait. KOC has developed a Total Remediation Solution (TRS) for KERP with multiple treatment techniques inclusive of very limited landfills for non-treatable contaminated materials.

    As part of KERP, the North Kuwait (NK) and South Kuwait (SEK) landfills have been constructed specifically for the safe and environmentally secure disposal of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils arising from the cleanup of the KERP features like dry oil lakes, wet oil lakes, and oil contaminated piles.  The constructed landfills integrity needs to be sustained and, it is required to continue monitoring and maintaining the landfill against the release of hazardous constituents to the environment.

    The purpose of this abstract is highlighting the initial repair of structural damage and maintenance work of existing landfills in NK & SEK fields. Furthermore, KOC develop a long term monitoring scheme to guide on the work requirements to undertake the inspections, maintenance (including necessary repairs and procurement of required items), and Environmental monitoring for the existing and upcoming landfills in KOC fields as an result of untreated contaminated soil. This strategy shall fulfill the environmental compliance requirements and ensure integrity of landfills.

    Key words: Contaminated Soil, Landfills, Maintenance and Environmental Monitoring.

    Pages: 62 – 71 | Full PDF Paper