Operating in Environmentally Sensitive Areas: International Operators Perspective of Overcoming the Challenge of Waste Management in Eastern Venezuela

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. Twynam ◽  
A. Melchor ◽  
P.W. Page
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Sensitive Areas ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive Areas ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive

Balancing environmental, societal and energy production issues

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Haut ◽  
Thomas Williams ◽  
Gene Theodori ◽  
Jim Slutz
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Societal Issues ◽  
Sensitive Areas ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive Areas ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive ◽  
The Impact

Clean burning natural gas begins with environmentally-friendly drilling and production. The industry has made great strides in protecting the environment while increasing production, yet producers still face challenges in relation to effectively operating in environmentally-sensitive areas. The Environmentally Friendly Drilling Program integrates technologies—including: rig designs, drilling fluid systems, waste management, roads, and pads—into systems that reduce the impact in environmentally-sensitive areas. The objective is to identify, develop and transfer critical, cost effective, new technologies, which provide policy makers and industry with the ability to develop US domestic reserves in a safe and environmentally-friendly manner. The program was honoured with the Environmental Partnership Chairman’s Stewardship Award from the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission at its 2009 annual meeting. The program, funded by industry and government, provides a comprehensive technology transfer effort, which includes outreach to industry, government and the general public. In addition, a scorecard system is being developed to recognise companies that use the most appropriate technologies and systems to minimise the environmental tradeoffs of operations in sensitive ecosystems. The scorecard assesses drilling operations and technologies with respect to: air, site, water, waste management, biodiversity, and societal issues. The goal of the scorecard is to develop a mindset in the industry that environmental stewardship is a core value. In addition, the scorecard enables all stakeholders to understand the balance between energy development and the impact on the environment. The program has made significant advances in reducing environmental tradeoffs and in addressing societal issues associated with natural gas production.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document