The Remediation of Oil Contaminated Soil in Kuwait

Kuwait Oil Company, State of Kuwait

Abstract: This paper describes KERP planned strategy and actual works conducted to remediate 26 million cubic meters of contaminated soil in North and South Kuwaiti Oil Fields after the aggressive Iraqi invasion in 1990. KERP remediation strategy has been modified based on comprehensive Site Soil Characterization (SSC) reports of Consortium of International Consultants (CIC 2003); which was verified through special SSC works completed in North and south Kuwait Excavation and Transportation Projects (NKE&T and SKE&T) and various KERP related SSC activities. The strategy modification involves reducing landfill volume to less than 5.0 million m3 by implementing comprehensive remediation techniques which, include natural degradation of residual contamination of Tarcrete at TPH levels of 1-2%, bio-treatment at 2-7%, remediation technologies at 7-20%, re-use of high energetic good quality oil and sludge at high TPH levels of 10-20% and landfilling of difficult to treat soil. Best available and approved technologies combined with best feasible and cost-effective technologies drive the remediation strategy listed above. 4KERP contaminated features consist of Dry and Wet Oil Lakes, Contaminated Piles, Tarcrete, WHPs, and Coastal Trench and Deposits. The last two features were totally remediated by excavating, transporting and disposal of the contaminated soil in newly constructed landfills in the south and north Kuwait through NKE&T and SKE&T Projects. However, Tarcrete physical and chemical characteristics revealed no toxicity, fragile, dry, and thin crust feature with no harm to exclude from remediation program. The Program tackled several challenges related to 100% UXO survey and clearance, climate conditions limiting working hours, and spread of contamination over huge areas, as well as executing the site works with massive earth movement equipment and personnel from various subcontractors is a challenge itself. However, collaborative efforts of various stockholders such as KOC, SRP-II, SRS, PMC, local contractors, and KNFP are minimizing risks during the execution.