FPIC steps up oil leak remediation program

MANILA, Philippines - Pipeline operator First Philippine Industrial Corp. (FPIC) is stepping up its multiphase extraction (MPE) system in Barangay Bangkal, Makati City as part of its long-term environmental remediation program in the area affected by the petroleum leakage from its pipeline.

The government-approved MPE system will be used for the recovery and treatment of oil that leaked from the FPIC pipeline, which affected the West Tower condominium and nearby streets in Barangay Bangkal.

Forty-five MPE extraction wells, each with a depth between 12 to 15 meters, have been installed in the area affected by the leak, with 18 of the wells surrounding the West Tower Building, whose basement caught most of the leak. The wells will simultaneously extract volatile organic compounds or VOCs in soil vapor and groundwater.

The location of the wells was determined by the ground monitoring conducted by CH2MHill, FPIC’s multinational environmental services contractor, and the affected area was identified by the University of the Philippines-National Institute of Geological Sciences.

The MPE vans that will house the MPE system have been placed under the Magallanes interchange ramp.

Trenches with a depth of about 1.5 meters are being excavated in order to lay the pipes that will connect the MPE wells, which will have a steel cover that will allow access to the wells for future maintenance work.

Trenching is expected to be completed by end March.

“We are sparing no expense, bringing in the latest and most appropriate technology as well as the leading experts in environmental remediation to make sure that the leak will not pose any serious long-term threats to Barangay Bangkal and the environment,” said FPIC president Tony Mabasa.