Footprint, supply, sustainability, management, access and planning
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Footprint, supply, sustainability, management, access and planning
Feb 12, 2021
Water footprint
In 2020 Ecopetrol began the exercise of calculating the product water footprint in the production and refining segments, based on the ISO 14046 standard of 2014, in order to know the impacts associated with water management, and identify options improvement in direct operations and throughout the life cycle (indirect).
It is important to highlight that by calculating the water footprint, it will be possible to know the co-benefits of decarbonization projects focused on reducing GHG emissions, and that they can also contribute to reducing the water degradation footprint.
The first results of this exercise (in 3 fields of the Orinoquia) allow to conclude that the greatest contribution of the water consumption footprint in the production segment is associated with indirect activities (purchase of electrical energy and manufacture of raw materials and inputs that are consumed in operations); while for the water degradation footprint, the aspects that stand out are related to the burning of gas in tea (direct) or the manufacture of raw materials (indirect). Additionally, the water scarcity footprint allowed evaluating the potential of fresh water deprivation for humans or ecosystems, due to water consumption in the production fields studied.
Supply chain
During 2020, a diagnosis of the integral management of water was developed by the supply chain of services that require the use of water for industrial activities, which allowed the identification of gaps and opportunities to leverage the goals of water management. the company has proposed. For this diagnosis, the Efficient Use and Saving Water Plans (PUEAA) that suppliers must present, as part of the HSE obligations established by Ecopetrol, as well as the periodic reports of implementation of the actions provided in the PUEAA, in terms of of indicators and fulfillment of goals associated with water management. Likewise, the reports on water consumption were reviewed, provided for within the green clause contained in the contracts for the provision of services related to civil works, maintenance of equipment and facilities, artificial lift systems and treatment of sludge and oily waste, with the In order to identify suppliers that generate a significant impact on the use of water for industrial activities and formulate action plans.
On the other hand, with the results of the indirect water scarcity footprint, it will be possible to identify those suppliers of goods (raw materials and inputs) with which initiatives to reduce the risks associated with water should be addressed.
Sustainability and water security in the environment
The purpose of this axis is to promote solutions based on nature and natural climate solutions that contribute to the recovery and conservation of water resources, as well as reducing the access gap to drinking water and basic sanitation in the areas where we operate.
Natural capital management
During 2020, 36,124 hectares were intervened for regulation and water availability, of which 2,044 hectares correspond to those included in the compensation agreements signed with communities of the Piedemonte Llanero, and 34,080 hectares reached through the Wildlife Project that is being carried out in Magdalena Medio, the Orinoquia and the Piedmont of the Amazon. On the other hand, in alliance with the Regional Autonomous Corporation of Santander - CAS, progress was made in the execution of immediate and preventive actions for the recovery and conservation of the Ciénaga San Silvestre, through the identification, characterization, monitoring and spatialization of the biotic components , physical and socio-economic of the body of water and its tributaries
Access to water and sanitation
Ecopetrol makes use of the water resource in 71 municipalities in which it is working on the articulation and strengthening of the interventions of the different public and private actors present
During 2020, Ecopetrol supported the execution of one (1) project associated with solutions for access to drinking water in the municipal seat of Puerto Wilches in the department of Santander, building the Potable Water Treatment Plant (PTAP) of the South Sector , which benefits more than 5,792 people; and one (1) basic sanitation project in the village area of the El 27 hamlet of the Carmen de Chucurí municipality of the same department, which allowed the extension of the coverage of the sewerage system to about 212 people and the start-up of the Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant (PTARD). Additionally, through the mechanism of works for taxes, the construction of 108 sanitary units was advanced in the municipality of La Gloria in the department
