Journal of Petroleum Engineering & Technology Original Research
Assessment of Environmental Waste Management and Pollution Control Practices at the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Facility, Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria
Abstract
The oil and gas industry remains a major contributor to Nigeria's economic development; however, its operations generate significant environmental challenges, including waste generation, produced water contamination, air emissions, and ecosystem degradation. This study assessed environmental waste management and pollution control practices at the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) facility located in Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods research design incorporating qualitative and quantitative approaches was adopted to evaluate existing waste management strategies and environmental control measures. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, questionnaires, environmental monitoring reports, and laboratory analyses. Particular attention was given to produced water treatment and flue gas management. Produced water samples collected from the facility were treated using orange peel biomass as a low-cost adsorbent. The adsorption experiment investigated the removal of selected heavy metals, including lead, nickel, cadmium, copper, iron, chromium, zinc, manganese, calcium, arsenic, boron, tin, and barium. Results revealed significant reductions in contaminant concentrations, with removal efficiencies ranging from 19.35% to 98.42%. The 150 µm orange peel particle size demonstrated superior adsorption performance due to its larger surface area and increased availability of active adsorption sites. Furthermore, flue gas generation and distribution were evaluated using a mass transfer model based on the elemental composition of municipal solid waste generated at the facility. Findings indicate that effective waste management practices, coupled with environmentally sustainable treatment technologies, can significantly reduce pollution associated with oil and gas operations. The study concludes that agricultural waste materials such as orange peels offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative for produced water treatment, while integrated waste management strategies remain essential for enhancing environmental sustainability within the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
Keywords
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