Environmental Management in Oil and Gas Industry

What is EIA?

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development.

• Environmental Investigation Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development.

• Energy Information Administration (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development.

• None of the answer

Answer explanation

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development. Key stages in the Environmental Assessment process include: screening, alternatives, preliminary assessment, scoping, mitigation, main EIA study and environmental impact statement, review and monitoring

Which of the following is not a practice to control environment pollution by oil and gas industry in Brunei?

• carbon capture & storage (CCS)

• enhanced oil recovery (EOR) - carbon dioxide injection

• wave-energy power generation for hybrid oil and gas drilling rig

• use solar power system to light up some of the equipment

Answer explanation

Floating wind and wave power to support an offshore oil and gas facility is current still in research and development stages. It might be the future technology for hybrid-powered or totally replacement of diesel engine used to operate offshore facility and equipment.

More reading: https://www.offshore-mag.com/renewable-energy/article/14195881/study-confirms-potential-of-floating-windwave-power-for-oil-and-gas

Which of the following drilling mud and its rock cuttings might be allowed by the authorities to dispose into the sea or landfill after treatment?

• Water-based mud (WBM)

• Synthetic-based mud (SBM)

• Oil-based mud (OBM)

• none is allowed

Answer explanation

WBM and its rock cuttings is allowed to be disposed into the sea or landfill after treatment and with very low hydrocarbon residues (ppm level). Each treatment and disposal method depends on each country's legislation and availability facility.

OBM & SBM and its rock cuttings can pollute the environment, hence is not allowed.

Which of this is not a treatment process of wastes (including drilling mud OBM/SBM, rock cuttings and oil-related wastes) ?

• Thermal process

• Supercritical carbon dioxide treatment

• Bioremediation

• Open-burning

Answer explanation

A. Thermal process

-operating at high temperatures separates oil and liquids from the solids content of the cuttings.

 

B. Supercritical carbon dioxide treatment

-    supercritical carbon dioxide exhibits excellent solvating characteristics which are easily manipulated to dissolve non-polar compounds like diesel and mineral oils.

C. Bioremediation

-     enables the oil in the drilling waste to be biologically degraded using hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms.

Which of the following activity can promote marine conservation instead of causing environment impact?

• Exploration - seismic activity

• Exploration - drilling activity

• Development of well - installation of offshore platform

• Well Decommissioning

Answer explanation

Seismic - can cause noise pollution; Drilling activity - drilling the rock formation at the earth; development of well - footprint and affect marine ecosystem with installation of offshore platform.

For decommissioning :

1) Some old offshore oil rigs are tipped over and left on the sea floor

2) Within a year after a rig is toppled, it is often covered with barnacles, coral, sponges, clams, and other sea creatures

3) These artificial reefs attract fish and other marine life, and they have increased fish populations and recreational diving opportunities.

What are the potential environmental issues caused by upstream and downstream oil and gas industry?

• Flaring of excess gas - release of carbon dioxide and other unwanted gases into the atmosphere

• Discharge of harmful chemical wastes into the sea and river

• Burning of fossil fuels by manufacturing plants, power station and moving vehicles

• Deforestation for construction and making roads

• All of the issues mentioned

Answer explanation

All of the mentioned are potential environmental issues caused by oil and gas industry. Despite the raised concerns, all companies are committed to provide the best approaches to reduce emissions in every process and activity associated with oil and gas.