HSE Annual Report 2010 (English) - WINTERSHALL

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IN HARMONY WITH THE ENvIRONMENT –
CONSTRUCTION PROjECTS.
The Wintershall Group invests intensively in finding,
producing and transporting crude oil and natural
gas. Europe is increasingly dependent on commodity
imports for securing its energy supply. The
Wintershall subsidiaries WINGAS and WINGAS
TRANSPORT alone are planning to expand the
European natural gas infrastructure significantly
with investments of around three billion euros by
2015. The investments are mostly earmarked for the
expansion of the transport system as well as the
construction of new natural gas storage facilities
in Europe. The Nord Stream natural gas pipeline
through the Baltic Sea and its pipeline links OPAL
and NEL are set to make a major contribution to
transporting natural gas to Europe in future.
Some of the construction projects extend across
national borders and also cross numerous countryside
areas. Accomplishing such large projects is a
major logistical feat and demands a high degree of
expertise when it comes to minimizing their ecological
impact. The goal, as required by law, is to avoid
spoiling the natural world and its proper functioning,
ensure that it can still be used, and prevent any
impairment to the flora and fauna. In addition, the
group undertakes many more measures – some
of them unusual – to protect the countryside to
an extent above and beyond that required by law.
Landscaping and nature conservation are important
elements at all phases of the projects.
CARE OF THE LANDSCAPE
DURING PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION.
Planning and building natural gas pipelines demand
a large number of tasks and requirements. Especially
the construction in terrain with difficult tectonics requires
experience and know-how. The company’s
experience in constructing pipelines enables it to
live up to its responsibility for the environment and
nature. The planning of a gas pipeline route takes
into account ecologically valuable areas and infrastructure
elements, such as transportation routes
and built-up areas, as well as the supply security
of the region concerned. This means that pipelines
do not always take the shortest route, but the one
that makes the most sense for the requirements of
the population and the environment.
Route planning is geared to nature conservation
areas and the ecological conditions of the landscape.
Protective measures, such as pressing
pipes below rivers and streams, are defined in close
collaboration with the landscape authorities, environmental
offices and experts for environmental and
landscape planning. The company’s building supervisors
are supported from an ecological aspect in
the implementation of tree protection measures,
limiting working strips, and regulating working
hours to protect birds’ breeding seasons. The fertile
topsoil is removed and stored on the side before
construction work begins. When the natural gas
pipeline has been buried in the trench and is ready
for operation, the trench is refilled with the soil that
was previously removed. After work on the route
has been completed, the beds of waterways are
restored using formerly removed river gravel and their
banks are renaturalized. The ground used for the
construction site will be recultivated and loosened;
trees and bushes will be planted. Meadows and
arable land, as well as areas with trees and shrubs,
are restored. Around a year after a gas pipeline has
been laid, there are virtually no signs that there
used to be a construction site. Development and
care of the replanted areas continues for at least
three years. The company also guarantees aftercare
for all areas affected by pipeline construction
after this period. Eventually, the fact that there is
a pipeline can only be recognized by the yellow
poles protruding from the ground every 100 to
500 meters.