Oil & Gas in Federal Systems

Questions: 1. Impact of oil and gas exploration, production and distribution on environmental air?2. The measures that can reduce the impact from the environment?3. The efficient approach considered for implementing new technology for mitigating the environmental damage? Answers: Introduction The concept of environmental management deals with the maintenance of balance of nature which is aiming for an overall sustainable development. At present, the growth of pollution of land, water and air has posed to be a great threat for many lives on earth. There are number of problems arising due to the rate growing pollution in the environment and this is a matter of grave concern for the business sector and society, at large. Owing to the decaying issue of the land, water and air there are number of researchers conducted for reducing the effect of environmental damage and help developing the nature (Dale, 2014). In this respect the impacts of the different business sectors on the environment have been studied and it has been found that functioning oil and gas exploration sector is affecting the environment in the adverse manner. This paper has dealt with the study of impact of oil and gas exploration, production and distribution on air, measures that can help reduce the impact an d the efficient approaches adapted with regard to environmental management. 1. Impact of oil and gas exploration, production and distribution on environmental air The concept of oil and gas exploration is one of the most important factors considered for fuelling the economies. With the passage of time and tide the demand for oil and gas is increasing owing to the requirement of energy for running industries, cities and lives. Therefore, the oil producing sector is also trying every means of exploration to produce more oils and gas and distributing the same in different parts of the world. However, in the process of such exploration, production and distribution the environment is getting affected and is contributing to the decaying of air, water and land (Freedman and Jaggi, 2010). This is considered that the dependency of the global community on oil and gas for the production of energy is another main concern which is hampering the environment. As reported that nearly 63 percent of energy requirement of the world is met from the production of oil and gas and then comes the other sources. This is the main reason that reducing the ecological sid e effects has become a challenging factor for the oil producing firms, regulatory bodies and the society. The air emission due to the oil and gas production has been increasing the climatic footprint. The primary gases aggravating the rate of pollution of the air are carbon dioxide, volatile organic carbons, carbon mono oxide, nitrogen oxides and methane. The oil and gas production sector is considered to be one of the main contributors to the economic growth but, on the other hand this sector is also accounted as the primary contributor to the rate of air emission. The regular expelling processes and case of leaks in the course of natural gas extraction, production and distribution leads to the emission of green houses gases in the air and polluting the atmosphere (Gokcekus, et al., 2010). Not only the leaking and routing venting methods are augmenting the rate of air pollution but also, the other components involved in the entire of process of oil and gas production like the pumps, compressors gauges, valves, pipe connectors and flanges are enhancing the rate of air pollutants. The uni ntentional leaks and intentional venting of gases by the oil and gas sector, emits methane (CH4) in the air which are coming from the oil production areas, wells and storage tanks. The engines and other sources of combustion related with the streaming of natural gas and oil are producing emissions contaminating the air with predominant methane gas (Hill and Gale, 2009). The process often results in the creation of fog or ground level ozone and also contains the benzene known as the hazardous and harmful pollutant in the air. Thus, the air pollution is resulting in the growth of global warming, also affecting the health of human being in the harmful manner and also questioning the existence of the number of animal species on earth. Further, the use of such oil and gas products are also enhancing the rate of pollution in the air when the same are used for the generation of energy. The use of oil products are resulting in the formation of airborne particulates which is also hampering the air quality and health of human beings (Kahraman and Baig, 2010). The burning of gases is accounted to be the most eminent source of air emissions along with the processes combustion and venting and all such processes are resulting in production of more carbon dioxide in the air and other harmful gases. Despite, the mounting problem of polluting the air, the technological advancements are further accelerating the demand and use of oils and gas production (Mohamed and Al-Thukair, 2008). Therefore, in the midst of such increa sing demand this has become a challenging aspect to reduce the level of air pollution which is resulting from the exploration, production and distribution of oil and gas. 2. The measures that can reduce the impact from the environment Despite, the fact that reducing the air pollution from the oil and gas production is quite a challenging aspect for the regulatory bodies and environmentalists yet, there are number of policies getting implemented in this respect. Therefore, from the context of environmental management the Section 4 and 5 has been introduced so as to help regulate the rate of air pollution and environmental damages (Kenny and Meadowcroft, 2009). There are number of preventive and pro active measures considered by the oil and gas producing sector and each of the measures are administered by certain programmes under the supervision of able personnel. Cleaner Production, Pollution Prevention and Eco Efficiency are some of the eminent programs which are regarded as the eminent measures for reducing the rate of environmental pollutions and promote the sustainable existence (Speight, 2013). There are more regulatory measures which have been formulated by international standard setters such as the Internati onal Standards Organization ISO 9000 are setting the limit for quality management and for the environmental management the ISO 14000 has been implemented. Therefore, when it comes to the explorations of oils and gas there are number of measures which are to be considered by the companies in the concerned sector (Thiele, 2013). At the initial stage a thorough environmental analysis in the area of exploration should be considered by the firms to determine the protected areas. Thus, contribute to the selection of list sensitive area and also the following of the process of directional drilling is the effective measure of reduce the environmental impact (Lightbown, 2015). The areas of lower ecological value are mainly selected by the firms, also consulting with the local authorities and stakeholders, avoiding the areas which are prone to flood and the consideration of cluster drilling is considered to be an effective measure of reducing the footprints. The other measures comprise of the steps involving the minimization of loss of vegetation and also minimize the rate of cutting timber and following of the block and soil erosion method shou ld be followed. The well tested burners should be used for burning the gas and oil and in the process the rate of H2S emission should be controlled (Anderson, 2012). 3. The efficient approach considered for implementing new technology for mitigating the environmental damage There are number of technological interventions and approaches have been implemented in the process of oil and gas exploration and production process so as reduce its impact on the environment. Further, the oil and gas producing sector has also adapted a number of technological methods for prevention of air pollution and has been very pro active towards the process of attainment of sustainability (Andrade and Renaud, 2011). Therefore, along with the regulatory measures and scientific advancements, following to process optimization studies new improved methods of pollution control have been followed by the oil and gas production sector. The opportunities of reducing emission have been administered from the formulation of process optimization studies conducted by the concerned sector. The technological advancements have resulted in up-gradation design of valve and this is considered that the new improved valve design would result in decrement of fugitive emission. The improvement of fl are outlay has already augmented the affectivity of the combustion process as; the flare gas and natural gas level recovery has improved from before with the technological methods and innovations (Fowler, Dise and Sheppard, 2016). This is considered to be one of the effective approaches in reduction of air emission. The development of more effective gas turbines followed with the adherence to more proficient maintenance regimen have resulted in the magnificent result and helped the sector to gain efficiency is controlling the rate of air emission to a certain extent. Moreover, the consideration of optimizing of the gas turbine has also added to the growth in the sustainability practices of the entire sector on the global platform (Agbalagba, et al., 2013). There are numerous technological innovations and methods got implemented augmenting the efficiency of fuel such as the electric power distribution, steam injection, the recovery of waste heat and many more along with application of the methods conversion of energy, have all contributed to the efficiency of the overall system. Simultaneously the use of technologies selective catalyst reduction and the steam injection are introduced and used for the reduction of air emission. Recommendation The growth of air pollution is affecting the health and safety of public and other animals in the most adverse manner and also questioning the factor of sustainable environment. Therefore, this would be highly suggestible to the for policy makers to adhere to the methods of environmental management while framing and implementing the rules and regulations. Further, the firm involved with the production of oil and gas must conduct their business operations in the most responsible manner and they should consider a series of measures in the process of exploration, production and distribution (Tomlinson, 2010). In the process there are some of the measures which might enhance the costs of the business such as, a thorough survey of the land and leaving the land which might simulate the rate of environmental pollution and consulting with the stakeholders but, the firms must follow all the measures. The measures might contradict with the profit targets of the organization but, for value enhancement and most importantly to ensure the business continuity and sustainability. This is highly recommended to the oil producers to follow the restoration plans and reduce the trace of oil extraction from the areas after the process. Moreover, the uses of advanced technology for controlling the leaking of gas like methane, carbon dioxide and more into the air. The use of more efficient gas turbines can result in lesser pollution in the air (Yang and Sun, 2012). Along with the usage of advanced technology this would be further suggestible to educate their employees to follow the responsible business approach and adhere to a maintenance regimen for more effective and responsible functioning of the oil gas production plant. Conclusion This is clear from the study that reducing the rate of air pollution is quite a challenging task taking into account the ever increasing requirement of oil and gas for energy production, yet; the following of technological modes can help facilitate in the environmental management process. The joining of international and national laws and the adaptation of improved technologies, in the process of explorations and distribution by the oils and gas have resulted some encouraging and positive outcomes when it comes to the reduction of rate of environmental damages. Most of the oil and gas producing companies willingly and also under the obligations of political measures, welcomed the use of new technologies in the oil processing endeavour and this has been efficiently contributing to the reduction of air pollutants from air. 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