Integrated services for the characterization and rehabilitation of service stations and depots, five-year agreement

As part of their fixed asset management plan, Imperial Oil (ESSO) is proceeding with the dismantling, repair or the construction of their service station, petroleum storage and refinery holdings.  Subsequently they pre-qualified a series of contractors, testing laboratories and consultants whom, over a five year period, will support them in this process.  After an exhaustive pre-qualification process, ESSO chose to retain the services of Dessau as environmental consultants for the region of Québec from 2001 to 2006.  During this mandate Dessau has carried out a variety of studies and environmental work ranging from the closure to the refurbishing of petroleum product facilities according to the applicable laws, regulations and policy for the province of Québec. In fact, two of Dessau professionals are accredited as experts by the Québec Ministry of the Environment in order to certify environmental studies and restoration work as required by law 72. Dessau has worked both as consultants (studies and site supervision) and as contractors (turn-key projects).  

Services provided

• Environmental site Evaluation (ESE) Phase I, to orient the work for the ESE Phase II;

• ESE Phase II, i.e. soil (exploratory trenches and drilling) and groundwater (observation wells) characterisation;

• Determination of hydrogeological conditions, potential receptors and evaluation of risks associated with the sites;

• Modeling of contaminant dispersion using specialised software;

• Establishment of site-specific rehabilitation objectives;

• Elaboration of applicable rehabilitation scenarios and associated cost estimates;

• Preparation of plans and specifications for rehabilitation work or mitigation measures;

• Permit and authorisation requests from various government authorities where applicable;

• Design, construction and operation of rehabilitation systems for soil and groundwater;

• Site restoration by on site treatment;

• Site restoration by off site treatment;

• In-situ site restoration;

• Environmental monitoring of the shrinkage of contaminated plumes;

• Provision of scientific and technical expertise in the context of litigation.  

Unique aspects

The nature of this contract allows Dessau to become an active and perfectly integrated partner as opposed to a mere sub-contractor to the client. This approach allows Dessau to respond quickly and effectively , if not pro-actively to the clients specific needs.  As well, this business relationship is beneficial for Dessau since the multitude of site characterisation and restoration projects allows the professionals involved to stay on the cutting edge of scientific and technological developments.