OTBL, Oil India to use "Oilzapper technology" in Assam to treat hazardous oil spill

New Delhi, June 16 (ANI/Business Wire India): The environment impacts of crude oil are well known and with the increasing awareness as well as stringent statutory regulations, it is imperative to look in to safe and economic solutions in managing, treatment and disposal of these hazardous wastes.

TERI with the support from Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, has developed a bacterial product known as 'Oilzapper' to clean up oil spills and treats hazardous oily sludge generated unavoidably by Oil Industry.

Oil India has taken a lead to clean up the oil spills in Assam and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ONGC TERI Biotech Limited (OTBL), a joint venture company between ONGC and TERI. The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Director- General TERI, N.M. Borah, CMD, Oil India Limited along with board members of OTBL, TERI, Oil India Ltd and ONGC.

While signing the MoU, Dr. R.K. Pachauri, said, "TERI as a research organisation emphasises on practical solutions for the serious problems of energy, environment and sustainable development that the country and world at large are facing. It is therefore, of considerable satisfaction and significance that TERI has joined hands with ONGC in forming OTBL joint venture and is signing a MoU with Oil India for tackling problems of oil spills and oil sludge in an environment friendly way. "

Oil India Limited (OIL), Duliajan Assam, inevitably generates large quantity of oily sludge, oil soaked soil and ETP (effluent treatment plant) oily sludge which constitutes a major challenge for hazardous waste management as well as environment protection. In order to clean up the oil spills in an environment friendly manner, an exhaustive plan of action has been taken by OIL India Limited management.

Talking about this initiative, N.M. Borah, CMD OIL India Ltd said "Oil India Ltd considers corporate social responsibility, especially environment protection as a moral responsibility. Through this MoU, Oil India Ltd along with TERI and ONGC will not only advance technologically but will also help enrich the quality of life of the community and preserve ecological balance and heritage. We, therefore, are aware of the need to work beyond financial considerations and put in that little extra to ensure that we are perceived not just as corporate behemoths that exist for profits, but as wholesome entities created for the good of the society and for improving the quality of life of the communities we serve."

Through this MoU, applicable for the next 10 years, OIL India limited has undertaken a massive reclamation and bioremediation programme of oil spills in tea gardens and farmers fields. Oilzapper technology utilises the bioremediation potential of specific microbes that degrades the toxic hydrocarbon compounds leaving behind non hazardous end products or metabolites. Oilzapper technology is being used by all the oil companies in India. With its application, more than 15, 50, 000 tonnes of oily sludge and oil soaked soil has been treated and 50,000 acres of farmers' land spoiled due to oil spills has been cleaned up. (ANI)