Changing Scenario in Global Oil & Gas Sector

Important Aspects of Changing Global Energy Scenario

Environmental Issues and its impact of Global Oil and Gas Industry

BP- Gulf of Mexico Disaster

Rising Importance of Alternative Energy

Emergence of Gas as Important Petrofuel

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Potential Environmental Impacts

Environmental Impact
Atmospheric issues are attracting increasing interest from both industry and government authorities worldwide. The potential impacts mainly arises due to exploration & potential impacts mainly arises due to exploration & production, refining operations etc. The primary sources of atmospheric emissions from oil and gas operations arise from: atmospheric emissions from oil and gas operations arise from:
Flaring,

venting and purging gases processes in diesel engines and gas turbines gases from loading operations and tank and losses from process equipments particulates from soil disturbance during construction from other burning sources

Atmospheric Impacts

Combustion Fugitive

Airborne

Particulates

The main areas of impact are ozone depletion, GHG emissions leading to increased global warming, NOx and SOx emissions, SPM emissions etc. emissions, SPM emissions etc. The principal aqueous waste streams resulting from exploration and production operation are:
Produced water Drilling

fluids, cuttings and well treatment chemicals wash and domestic wastes water

Aquatic Impacts

Process Cooling Spills

and leakage

The major impact of the waste streams arise from the toxicity, high pH and salt content of chemicals used as drilling fluids which may result in pollution of ground and surface fluids which may result in pollution of ground and surface waters. Impacts may result particularly where ground and surface waters are utilized for household purposes or surface waters are utilized for household purposes or fisheries and especially ecologically sensitive areas are affected. affected.

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Potential Environmental Impacts

Environmental Impact
Potential impacts to soil arise from two basic sources:
Physical

disturbance as a result of construction resulting from spillage and leakage or solid waste disposal

Terrestrial Impacts Ecosystem Impacts Potential Emergency

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Contamination

The potential impacts arising from the poor design and construction includes soil erosion due to soil structure, changes in surface hydrology and drainage patterns, increased

salination and habitat damage, reducing the capacity of the environment to support vegetation and wildlife etc.

Plant and animal communities may be directly affected by changes in their environment through variations in water, air and soil quality and through disturbance by noise. Such changes may directly affect the ecology: for example, habitat, food and nutrient supplies, breeding areas, migration routes etc. The effect is upsetting of the nutrient balances and microbial activity of the soil.

The major environmental impact occurs in this case due to Spillage of fuels, gases, oil, chemicals and hazardous materials Oil or gas well blowout Explosions Fires War & Sabotage Natural disaster and their implication on operation e.g. flood, earthquake, cyclone. The major impact of these emergency events include large GHG emissions, ozone depletion, changes in soil structure and character, habitat and vegetative damage.