Analytic Hierarchy Process–Based Environmental Criteria Weight Assessment and Prioritization for Suitable Petroleum Refining Plant siting in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

In this paper, Saaty’s Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) of Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) technique was used to estimate the weights of some selected environmental criteria in the suitable siting of a Petroleum refining Plant. In doing this, fifteen (15) key environmental criteria, based on reviewed literature, specifications, and Environmental Impact Assessment Act (EIA) on the siting of petroleum refining plants were selected for this study, which includes Ground Water level, Proximity to major settlement, Proximity to Water bodies, Proximity to the Electricity transmission line, Land use / Land cover, Topography, Sensitive and Protected Areas proximity, Critically Polluted Areas (refuse dumpsites, landfill sites, etc.), Proximity to Existing Industrial areas, Major Transportation network, Flood zones, Proximity to crude oil supply (oil well), Wind speed, Large-scale Mines and Population density. The result from the calculated environmental criteria weights show proximities of Petroleum refinery to existing industrial areas; source of crude oil and Landuse/Landcover to have the highest influence value, followed by proximity to Water Body; Population Density; Groundwater Level; Major Settlement; Wind Speed; Transportation Network, Topography, while Sensitive/Protected Areas, Critically Polluted areas and Flood zones with the least influence value. The result of this AHP – based weight assessment will be used generally by Planners, Investors, Environmental Managers, and Oil and Gas experts as a general guide in the prioritization of criteria weights based on the influence of one criterion over the other in the suitability siting of petroleum refining plant.