Page 26 - Environmental Control in Petroleum Engineering

Introduction to Environmental Control in the Petroleum Industry 15

Guiding Principles for Environmentally
Responsible Petroleum Operations
Recognize and respond to community concerns about raw materials,
products, and operations.

Operate plants and facilities and handle raw materials and products in a
manner that protects the environment and the safety and health of
employees and the public.
Make safety, health, and environmental considerations a priority in
planning and development of new products and processes.
Advise promptly appropriate officials, employees, customers, and the
public of information of significant industry related safety, health, and
environmental hazards and recommend protective measures.
Counsel customers, transporters, and others in the safe use, transportation,
and disposal of raw materials, products, and waste materials.
Economically develop and produce natural resources and conserve those
resources by using energy efficiency.
Extend knowledge of conducting or supporting research on the safety,
health, and environmental effects of raw materials, products, processes,
and waste materials.
Reduce overall emissions and waste generation.

Work with others to resolve problems created in disposal of hazardous
substances from operations.
Participate with government and others in creating responsible laws, regulations,
and standards to safeguard the community, workplace, and environment.
Promote these principles and practices by sharing experiences and offering
assistance to others who produce, handle, use, transport, or dispose of
similar raw materials, petroleum products, and wastes.
Source: American Petroleum Institute, 1992. Reprinted by permission of the American
Petroleum Institute,

The benefits of being proactive in protecting the environment, as
opposed to simply reacting to legislative, regulatory, or court-ordered
mandates, can actually lower the long-term costs of doing business.
For example, voluntary waste reduction and site remediation activities
could result in the cleanup of a site at costs up to six times lower