Environment, Health & Safety Management Systems for Upstream Oil & Gas Projects in Developing Countries

Abstract

The international oil and gas exploration and production industry faces a vast array of environmental issues that are global in nature but play an increasingly prominent role in individual project decision making. When placed against a backdrop of socio-political and cultural challenges presented in developing countries, project planners require an enlightened approach to ensure the environmental, economic and social components are appropriately balanced to ensure sustainable business success. Although a relatively new player in the international E & P industry, Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd. has developed such an approach to EH&S management for projects in developing countries. Drawing from recent experience with a major project in Yemen, and others in the planning stages in several other developing countries, this paper presents a number of positive strategies and actions which are being applied in the many countries in which the company is active. Lessons learned and opportunities for improvement are presented for consideration by responsible operators working internationally toward the goal of environmentally sustainable energy development. Introduction Industry in general, and the energy sector in particular, face a rising tide of expectations and demands by society to incorporate environmental, health and safety issues into the business decision-making process for projects in even the most remote and undeveloped parts of the world. Although largely unfounded, there is a perception by some sectors of our society that the oil and gas industry has been a 'grab and run' exploiter of resources and has done little if anything to contribute to long-term and sustainable economic development and institutional support systems in host countries in which it operates. Responsible operators desire to be perceived by society as being part of the solution to environmental issues and not the source of the problems. Governments desire widespread public acceptance of their decisions and often opt for prescriptive, non-science-based regulations. Public interest groups seek a voice in decision-making, and industry seeks opportunities to apply meaningful, market-based solutions to environmental concerns. With this back drop, we will elaborate on some significant EH&S issues and factors that must be considered and suggest some strategies that can be applied by responsible international energy sector operators in developing countries, toward the common societal goals of sustainable development and environmental quality enhancement. P. 501