Oily Industry Impacts on the environmental vulnerability of the territories: case of Fuel Commercializing Company of Villa Clara, Cuba

The production, storage and transportation of hydrocarbons involve risks of environmental pollution. The goal was to characterize the pollution by hydrocarbons, caused by the operations of the Fuel Commercializing Company of Villa Clara (ECCVC, in advanced), on the different environmental recipients. Four comprehensively geographical strata were established on the research area. It was monitored with 4 sample stations, the oily treatment system of the ECCVC over a period of 3 years. Furthermore, seven wells were selected to sample upstream and downstream the ECCVC. The results suggest the contamination with hydrocarbons in the recipients has been related with the management of oily residuals in the ECCVC. The inadequate design features of the lagoon and the lack of maintenance of the API separator were the main possible causes of the failure modes identified with high risk priority numbers. A management plan was designed. The results highlight the negative environmental impact caused by the ECCVC operations, acting as a permanent stressor on the territory, whereas contributing to increase the near community vulnerability against hydrocarbon pollution.