Page 25 - Environmental Control in Petroleum Engineering

14 Environmental Control in Petroleum Engineering

One industry that has been effectively destroyed by social pressure
resulting from environmental misinformation is the nuclear power
industry in the United States, even though the actual risks from nuclear
power can be significantly lower than those from other, more accept-
able forms of electrical power, such as coal. If the domestic petroleum
industry completely loses the confidence of the public, it too can be
effectively destroyed. If this occurs, then the imports of crude oil and
products will increase significantly. Ironically, the transportation of
imported crude oil creates a much greater environmental hazard than
domestic production.
Historically, the petroleum industry has reacted often to new regula-
tions by changing operational practices the minimum amount required
to meet the letter of the regulations. But because of the complex,
rapidly changing regulatory environment, this approach can no longer
be used productively. Activities that comply completely with today's
regulations can result in significant liability tomorrow.
Perhaps the most important thing the petroleum industry can do is
adopt an attitude of working in harmony with the public will. Regula-
tory agencies should not be viewed as enemies but as co-workers in
an effort to produce oil in both economically and environmentally
sound ways. Conversely, regulatory agencies can do their part by
imposing regulations based on accurate scientific information, not the
prevailing political pressures. Mutual education between regulators, the
petroleum industry, and the public at all levels is an important step
in environmentally-responsible, cost-effective operations.
This partnership requires cooperation, teamwork, commitment,
credibility, and trust among all parties involved in the exploration for
and production of oil, including operating company managers, engi-
neers, geologists, contractors, subcontractors, work crews, regulators,
courts, and legislators. Environmentally related activities must
be oriented toward improved environmental awareness and protection,
not the avoidance of responsibility for environmental protec-
tion. Environmental awareness must be an integral part of everyone's
daily job.
This type of attitude toward environmental responsibility has been
formally adopted as a set of principles by the American Petroleum
Institute member companies. These principles are known as the Guid-
ing Principles for Environmentally Responsible Petroleum Operations,