Waste Management in the Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Process
This waste management program consists of a series of steps.
- 1. An overall plan needs to be established at the highest levels of the organization and includes identifying the content of the program based on specific needs, goals, and timed objectives, titles of supervisory and management personnel involved and their roles, resources needed and supplied including the proper budget, means of measuring results, and appropriate record-keeping.
- 2. Determine the geological area and the businesses and industrial activities to help understand how this program fits in with their existing programs and what type of market would be available for byproducts or recycled material from the company.
- 3. Conduct an in-depth study to identify the type and quantity of the waste to be removed or recycled and if it is biological, chemical, or physical in nature and the potential level of toxicity.
- 4. Evaluate all rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to environmental and public health issues and determine what special precautions must be taken to prevent the occurrence of additional environmental problems when waste is being removed from the facility or special processes are being used to reduce hazards.
- 5. Utilize waste reduction toxicity techniques where possible.
- 6. Determine the state-of-the-art techniques for waste treatment and waste management, and utilize those that are cost-effective in all parts of the storage, transport, and final disposal of the waste.
- 7. Evaluate the operational procedures of the plan during actual operation of the program, and determine that which is weak and ineffective and make necessary changes.
US Environmental Protection Agency Hotline and Service Line Program
(See endnote 98)
This program provides for individuals immediate information and assistance in a large variety of program areas of the US EPA.
