EnvironmentalEvolution of the Petroleum Industry

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EnvironmentalEvolution of the Petroleum Industry

• Lee C. Gerhard
• Principal Geologist
• Kansas Geological Survey

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(No Transcript)
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Oklahoma City Gusher
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• Regulatory Premises
• Prevention of waste
• Conservation of the resource
• Protection of corollary rights
• Environmental protection

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Produced Fluids
Oil Gas Water (saline or fresh) Nitrogen Other
gases (H2S, He)
(characteristics controlled by geologic settings)
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Regulatory Oversight on Petroleum E P
State regulations and permitting (primary,
direct) Clean Water Act (operations) Clean Air
Act (operations) NEPA (access, operations) ESA (ac
cess) Antiquities Act (access) OSHA (operations) F
ederal and state land managers policies (secondary
, indirect)
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Environmental Issues
EXPLORATION Site access Seismic
PRODUCTION Produced water Hydrogen
sulfide Casinghead gas venting Oil
spills Migratory birds
DRILLING AND COMPLETION Area of land use Drilling
fluids NORM Blowouts Protection of ground
water Protection of aqueous environments
POST-PRODUCTION Plugging depleted wells Salt
dissolution Reclamation
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Issues and Answers
ADVANCED
OLD
STANDARD
EXPLORATION
Seismic None Invasive Non-Invasive Endangered
species None Modified operating International Land
withdrawal None Private minerals International An
tiquities None Mitigation International
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The Old 1920s El Dorado Field, KS
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EXPLORATION HAS CHANGED
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For Sensitive Areas, Helicopter Operations
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Even the Drillers Wear Suits
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Small Impacts on Ranchland
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Tarr Farm, PA, 1862
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But Nature Heals Tarr Farm, 1991, same view
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Drilling has changed, from the turn of the
century,
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To the 1970s,
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To Fully Diapered Rigs,
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To Advanced Drilling Systems...
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Issues and Answers
ADVANCED
OLD
STANDARD
PRODUCTION
Produced water Surface flowed Injected Re-used Oil
spills Natural Soil removal Microbial H2S Vented
Vapor sulfur recovery Casinghead
gas Vented Flared Re-injected Migratory
birds None Nets Eliminate pits
POST-PRODUCTION
Plugging Non, dump stuff Set plugs Reduce ver
ticals Salt dissolution Not a problem Better
design M.I. test Site reclamation None Moderate To
tal
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This Was The Old, and it Met the Standards of its
Time...
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Modern Production Facilities Meet the Standards
of Their Time...
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Whether in the Rockies or the Great Plains..
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Or Arctic North Slope
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ENERGY PRODUCTION MEETS ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS
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Issues and Answers
OLD
STANDARD
ADVANCED
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And Nature is a Willing Helper for Solving Old
Problems
1867
Pioneer Funkville,PA
1984
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Energy Sustains Human Society, with Respect for
the Environment
Eastern Montana, 1978