The Effects of Petroelum Production Operations on the Environment In Trinidad

Abstract

Abstract Trinidad is unique in its natural resources. Since the discovery of the first oil well, on land, in 1857 the country has seen an emergence of land operations in the petroleum industry. Drilling operations from 1902 to present continue to impact on the environment, but the adverse effects have been surpassed by production operations. Wells remain on production for many years and while initially they presented no threat to the environment, maintaining integrity of aging infrastructure is an increasing challenge. Leaks from wellheads, leaks from pipelines, and overflows at gathering stations, among others have contributed negatively on the terrestrial environment. Petrotrin, a state owned company in Trinidad, which has several production operations throughout the south of the country, has inherited production operations and their liabilities from predecessor companies. Over the past few years and continuing into the future, a new approach has been taken in which a "win-win" situation has emerged and will continue to emerge. For example, in the area of wellhead and pipeline leaks, which have effluents from which weathered in the environment, rendering them chronically polluted sites, bioremediation is employed. To avoid leaks from corrosion, a preventative maintenance is in place. The basal sediments are being recovered from tanks and taken to a designated site for treatment and remediation. Case studies show the effect of a proper environmental management system on the current infrastructure and installations and the necessary steps being taken to prevent any adverse effect that production operations may have on the terrestrial environment.