Best Available Techniques to reduce emissions from refineries

Over the past few years, European governments have progressively sought the application of Best Available Techniques (BAT) for the control of environmental emissions from a range ofindustrial sectors, including the oil industry. This culminated in the Integrated PollutionPrevention & Control (IPPC) Directive1 which was adopted in 1996. The Directive calls for a highlevel of protection for the environment as a whole and this protection should be achievedthrough application of Best Available Techniques (BAT) taking into consideration economic viabilityand local environmental factors.