OMV’s Water Risk Assessment and Management Process (2016)

Used for a variety of processes in their upstream and downstream operations, water is critically important to OMV. They publicly demonstrated their commitment to responsible water management by publishing a Water Ambition Statement in their 2014 Sustainability Report, along with strategic pillars and goals.

Any significant water-related risks are considered and addressed across the company as part of its bi-annual Enterprise Wide Risk Management process. OMV applies the IPIECA Global Water Tool, WWF’s Water Risk Filter and the WRI Aqueduct tool to screen and analyze physical, regulatory and reputational risks related to water. This practice has helped OMV highlight the aspects of their operations most vulnerable to water risks and assess where water might pose potential constraints to future operations.

OMV also recognizes that good water management can present opportunities. At their Petrobrazi refinery in Romania, OMV reduced their water withdrawals in 2015 by implementing projects such as condensate recovery in stripping reboilers, upgrading their steam tracer batteries and the optimization of their drinking water network. Additionally, the company recently constructed a new water treatment plant to improve the quality of water discharged to the receiving Barcau river in Romania, thus benefiting the local ecosystem and biodiversity of the river.