document preview

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a pollution prevention/best management practices manual for the New Mexico oil and gas industry. The manual provides the tools and information needed to develop a comprehensive pollution prevention-based environmental management system. The manual consists of two volumes. Volume 1 describes a set of decision-support tools and techniques that are being advocated by the state of New Mexico to help businesses incorporate pollution prevention into their key business functions. Volume 1 also provides examples of pollution prevention opportunities for four oil and gas sectors: exploration and production, pipeline operations, gas processing, and oil field services. Volume 2 provides a glossary of pollution prevention and waste management alternatives for the common oil and gas waste streams and cross-reference keys to the four oil and gas sectors described in Volume 1.

Introduction

This paper describes a manual being developed for the New Mexico oil and gas industry which provides the tools and information needed to develop a comprehensive pollution prevention-based environmental management system. The benefits of developing and implementing a pollution prevention-based environmental management system include the following:

• A more informed work force

• Better communication between labor and management

• Improved productivity

• Better environmental stewardship

• Reduced cost of waste treatment and disposal

• Reduced raw materials requirements

• Improved control of regulatory compliance costs and reduced regulatory burden

• Improved understanding of the true costs and causes of waste

• A framework to continuously improve operations and reduce waste

A pollution prevention-based environmental management system provides a flexible framework for identifying and implementing pollution prevention alternatives and other process improvements. By developing a pollution prevention-based environmental management system, which is specific to a company’s culture and needs, creative problem solving will be encouraged on a continuous basis. This is in contrast to a traiditional pollution prevention plan, which usually provides a discrete checklist of pollution prevention opportunities to implement. A pollution prevention based environmental management system is integrated into core business practices.

The manual consists of two Volumes. Volume 1 is divided into two parts: Part I, Pollution Prevention Systems Approach, and Part II, Oil and Gas Sector Pollution Prevention Opportunities (Source Reduction and In-Process Recycling). Volume 1, Part I of the manual presents the tools for developing an effective pollution prevention plan. Volume 1, Part II provides examples of pollution prevention alternatives for four oil and gas industry sector categories:

• Oil and Gas Exploration and Production

• Pipeline Operations

• Gas Processing

• Oil Field Services