Our expertise at the service of water

We carry out groundwater remediation interventions, in a range of industries, using both hydraulic barrier systems and treatment at the plant, as well as techniques aimed at removing the source of
contamination. We manage water using innovative and sustainable solutions to facilitate its recovery and valorisation, with a view to the circular economy, maximising its reuse and reducing its withdrawal from nature.

In our sites we have currently in operation:

• 1,400 wells for groundwater extraction and the conveying of water to treatment plants (GTP) for purification
• over 5,200 monitoring wells
• 2 water treatment plants, of which 28 owned.

In 2024, we treated over 36 million cubic meters of water, recovering about 9 million for industrial uses within the sites and environmental purposes such as reintroduction into the aquifer.

In Gela, Cengio and Manfredonia we also manage urban and industrial biological treatment systems. At the Priolo, Gela, Porto Torres, and Brindisi sites the search for more sustainable and efficient solutions for the management of water resources has led to the creation of specific sections within the treatment plants for the production of demineralised water to be reused in the premises. In other cases, such as in Manfredonia, the treated water is reinjected into the aquifer in order to restore the natural conditions of the water tables and at the same time avoid the risk of salt wedge intrusion. All the assets are compliant with BAT - Best Available Technology and BATNEEC (Best Available Technology Not Entailing Excessive Cost).

n each remediation site we implement tailor-made solutions, starting from a careful geological analysis of the aquifer using three-dimensional modelling carried out by our in-house specialists. This approach is based on the use of numerical models to interpret, represent and predict groundwater flow, in order to identify the most effective remediation techniques and regulate in real time the amount of water withdrawn from below ground to be sent to the treatment plants. In this way, the extraction adapts to seasonal fluctuations or other external phenomena such as prolonged drought, salt wedge intrusion and heavy rains. Thanks to in-house tools for the automation, remotisation and dynamic control of the treatment plants, we ensure and optimise the reliability of processes throughout the supply chain, while maximising the recovery of reusable water within the sites.

All water management systems are automated and digitised with the aim of effectively overseeing process reliability and safety, work quality as well as business sustainability. The company remotely monitors assets at operational sites through a 24-hour operational control room located in San Donato Milanese. In order to optimise water treatment processes by reducing its consumption, Eni Rewind promotes the search for new technical solutions and the continuous renewal of plants. An example of this is the Priolo site, where a pressure recovery unit was installed in the reverse osmosis section of the GTP plant. This device allows energy to be recovered in the form of pressure from the liquid stream leaving the reverse osmosis section, which is used to pre-pressurise the incoming flow to the GTP. By adopting this solution, the GTP can operate in optimised conditions, reducing energy consumption and its impact on the environment.

Our know-how in water management enabled us to develop, together with Eni research laboratories, a technology called Blue Water that aims to treat and recover production water from crude oil extraction to ensure the lowest possible environmental impact. With its implementation it is possible to regenerate production waters, as occurs in traditional purification plants, with consequent water recovery and reuse in industrial cycles and, therefore, a significant reduction in its collection. This also reduces the disposal of outgoing residues (salt solutions and sludge), which will be disposed of at suitable external plants. For the Val d'Agri Oil Centre in Viggiano, Basilicata, we have designed the first industrial-scale plant that will treat part of the production waters currently sent for disposal to meet the water needs of the site. The approval process for Blue Water was completed in 2024 by obtaining the Regional Single Authorising Provision (PAUR). Construction is scheduled to start in 2026, with the plant starting up in 2028.