3.4. Waste Handling

Hydrocarbon production growth, especially in the Far North, and expanding gas transmission network of the oil and gas facilities lead to an increase in production and consumption waste generation, and a greater human impact on the environment in geographies where the Gazprom Group produces, transports, processes and stores gas.

To mitigate and prevent this negative impact, we introduce the best available and innovative technologies to minimize waste generation and burial and increase the share of recycled waste.

All Group companies have implemented sorting procedures for wastes of Hazard Classes I–V, which helps reduce the share of dumping.

According to the environmental hazard classification, the bulk of the Group’s waste belongs to Class IV (lowhazard) or Class V (almost non-hazardous). These two classes account for 47% and 50%, respectively, of the total waste generated by the Group. These types of waste are typically either recycled or handed over for safe storage.

Class I and II waste is handed over for neutralization or recycling. Its share is 0.038%.

Class III is represented, inter alia, by some of the oilcontaminated waste (that with a share of petroleum products greater than 15%) handed over for neutralization or recycling.

The Group is reducing the share of waste sent for burial.

To mitigate the environmental impact of drilling waste, we employ dedicated design solutions.

All the Group’s waste placement facilities are listed in the relevant state register. The Gazprom Group monitors the environment and contamination levels at placement sites and in the nearby areas, recycles and neutralizes production and consumption waste in compliance with environmental requirements.