The Market for "Greener" Chemicals

Abstract

Abstract Increased regulation in the North Sea area calls for the use of less toxic chemicals in the oilfield industry. European countries with interests in the North Sea are beginning to require the use of these "green" chemicals to prevent further environmental damage. The Oslo/Paris Commission (OSPARCOM), which will become the official regulatory body for 22 European member countries in 1997, dictates that each member country is responsible for enforcing OSPARCOM regulations. Some countries more stringently apply the regulations than others. To meet the standards of the regulations, service companies need to evaluate their existing chemical lines and determine which products meet the environmental regulations. The concept of Best Available Technology (BAT) offers companies a way to keep up with continuing changes in environmental regulations. The regulatory agencies for each country provide recommendations on the supply, use, and disposal of chemical products to minimize the discharge of hazardous substances. As "greener" alternatives become more widely required, manufacturers and oilfield suppliers will have to work together to produce chemicals that meet both environmental regulations and the needs of the oil field. This relationship between the need to develop technological solutions and the BAT can generate a substantial market for "green" chemical substances.