Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production- A Balance Between Benefits to the Society and Impact on the Environment

Abdulrauf Rasheed Adebayo,Bassam Tawabini

doi:10.4172/2157-7463.1000122

Abstract

There is an increasing concern for alternate source of fuel due largely to the environmental impacts of hydrocarbon exploration, production and usage. Global warming and marine pollution is the top on the list. However, the efforts and achievements of the industry over the years towards safer operations and greener environment seem to be ignored or unacknowledged. In this paper, effort is made to review the environmental effects of oil exploration and production and the role and achievements of the oil industry in mitigating these impacts. It is argued here that the dependence of man and society on hydrocarbon goes beyond just burning hydrocarbon for fuel but also cuts across hydrocarbon usage in various aspects of our social, technological and medical lives. Finally, we emphasized that the need for a balance between exploration and production of hydrocarbon and environmental integrity will be a reality only if parties involve step up synergy towards a safer operation.

Highlights

The exploration and usage of petroleum started much earlier than the modern history we are familiar with
By early 20th century, major oil fields were discovered in Canada, Mexico, Persia, and Venezuela and by 1950s, the invention of internal combustion engine marked the rise in importance of petroleum
Environmental effect of seismic activities: The seas host treasures beneath their sea beds inviting human search for them through sophisticated and noisy exploratory and production activities disturbing to the marine flora and fauna

Summary

Introduction

The exploration and usage of petroleum started much earlier than the modern history we are familiar with. According to [33], “Pollution can be defined as contamination of the earth’s environment with materials that interfere with health, quality of life, or the natural functioning of ecosystems (living organisms and their physical surroundings)” Based on this definition, oil and gas pollution occurs when any or all of these take place: (i) drilled rock cuttings (contaminated with toxic drilling fluid) is discharged into the seas or lands, (ii) Produced water (contaminated with crude oil or gas) is discharged into the seas, lands, or injected in underground formation, (iii) seismic operations that disturb human and marine lives, (iv) hydrocarbon discharge or spillage in the sea or land in the course of hydrocarbon production and transportation, which can be either accidental or planned discharges, (iv) burning of hydrocarbon oil (in cars, trucks, trains, and planes), and (v) flaring of hydrocarbon gas. More discussion on this is in section on “The Role of the oil industry in Mitigating Oil Pollution”

Base fluids

Heavy metals

Inorganic pollutants

Findings

Conclusion