Environmental Management Systems

Home

Offshore oil and gas explorations and extractions occur globally.  Operations are occurring in all areas of the world.  Our society relies heavily upon oil and

gas and continues to demand more.  Various environmental problems are associated with

offshore oil drilling.  It must be understood that drilling is only one aspect of the impacts. 

Surveying, exploration, appraisal, development and production, storage and transport is

included in the process of

offshore oil and gas. 

Artistic Impression of Platform  

Photo : http://www.offshore-technology.com/projects/northamerica_gallery.html

 

 

 

The ecological ‘footprint’ for excavating oil may be seen on various levels depending on the stage of the process, the size and complexity of the project, the sensitivity of the area and the environmental management techniques. It can effect the biotic and abiotic community at a local level and international with functional processes and cycles.

Environmental Management in Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration and Production

LINKS

UNEP document on management approaches to oil and gas exploration and production.

International Association of Oil and Gas Producers-Report on offshore oil environmental issues

PetroCanada - Environmental management system

Shell Canada - Protection of the Environment

Esso Imperial Oil - Safety, Health and environment

Picture from: http://www.mms.gov/alaska/kids/shorts/workplat/cookinlt.jpg

 

 

Stakeholders

Types of  Regulatory Approaches (UNEP)

References

Flowchart

Examples of Common Legislation That May Apply to Oil operations

-petroleum laws

-planning laws

-environmental protection acts

-environmental impact

  assessment

-clean air and water acts

-water catchment protection

-marine pollution

-standards for noise, radiation,

 chemical exposure

-integrated pollution control

-discharge and management of

  waste

-land contamination or land

 disturbance

-permitted chemicals

-safety and fire regulations

-control of major hazards

-storage and usage of chemicals

-public and worker health and

  safety

-national park or protected area

  laws

-forest protection laws

-protection of indigenous and

  cultural heritage

-fishery protection, marine

  navigation and safety

Information from: http://www.ogp.org.uk/pubs/254.pdf

From the UNEP management approaches  report 1997

The International Standards Organization 14001 has been adopted by many oil and gas companies.  However, the ISO 14001 standard does not include all    issues of environmental management for offshore oil production in its framework.

The model Health, Safety and Environmental Management Systems (HSE-MS) is compatible with the requirements of the 14000 series.  HSE-MS circular model includes:

1. Policy and strategic objectives

2. Organization, resources and documentation*

3. Evaluation and risk management*

4. Planning*

5. Implementation and monitoring*

6. Review

*Auditing is occurring during these steps

NOTE: leadership and commitment are continuing throughout the process.

 

 

Environmental Management Tools for Exploration and Production of Oil and Gas

ACTIVITY                    EMS REQUIREMENT

· Desk Study  - Establish EMS, environmental profile

· Seismic Survey- Preliminary environmental assessment/ review, Environmental training

· Exploratory Drilling- Preliminary environmental assessment/ review or environmental impact assessment, environmental training, environmental monitoring

Offshore Oil & Gas in the Arctic

EMS defined

Offshore Oil in the Artic

Examples of Infrastructure Needed for Environmental    Protection

      -policy formulation and regulations

      -baseline environmental surveys

      -assessment and approvals

      -inspection, monitoring, enforcement

      -services- water, power, waste disposal

      -emergency response

      -logistics and transportation

      -external supplies/services- construct-

       materials, engineers, consultants, etc.                         

       -technical services-laboratories,

        laboratory supplies, equipment

       -training institutions, standards              

        associations   

    Operational Considerations

 

                 -footprint

                 -pollution prevention

                 -social/cultural interactions

                 -waste

                 -efficient use of resources

                 -use of local resources

                 -consultation and communication

                 -risks and impacts

                 -secondary and indirect impacts

                 -infrastructure implication

                 -training

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

http://galveston.ssp.nmfs.gov/platforms/platform.jpg

Photograph from:http://www.flonnet.com/fl2222/images/20051104002810101.jpg

ISO Standards for Oil and Gas

More Links

Canada's Northwest     Territories, Nunavut, and Arctic Offshore host an estimated 33 percent of Canada's remaining     conventionally               recoverable resources of natural gas and 25 percent of the remaining           recoverable light crude oil (Drummond Consulting, 2002 - unpublished report).                

Looking to the Future