API E5:1997 pdf download.Environmental Guidance Document: Waste Management in Exploration and Production Operations
1.2 API’S MANAGEMENT PRACTICE FOR POLLUTION PREVENTION
Both management commitment and comprehensive plan- ning are critical to a successful pollution prevention pro- gram. Steps to consider in developing and operating such a program include the following: a. Providing management support for ongoing pollution pre- vention activities through appropriate policies, actions, com- munications, and resource commitments. b. Developing and implementing a program to improve pre- vention and early detection and reduce impacts of spills of crude oil and petroleum products and other accidental re- leases from operations. c. Developing an inventory of significant releases to air, wa- ter, and land; identifying their sources; and evaluating their impact on human health and the environment. d. Periodically reviewing and identifying pollution preven- tion options and opportunities, developing approaches for re- ducing releases, and setting goals and schedules for reducing releases and measuring progress; consider the issues of com- munity concerns, technology and economics, and impact on human health and the environment. e. Including pollution prevention objectives in research ef- forts and in the design of new or modified operations, pro- cesses, and products. f. Supporting an outreach program to promote pollution prevention opportunities within the industry, including shar- ing of industry experiences and accomplishments.
1.4 UNDERSTANDING OPERATIONAL IMPACTS
Because exploration and production (E&P) operations can affect all environmental media, API suggests the use of sound science to identify adverse impacts and the means to mitigate, reduce, or eliminate them. Science is also critical to developing cost-effective strategies that address environmental risks. Science provides the foun- dation for identifying methods to prevent or reduce pollu- tion, for expanding waste management options to reduce risk, and for developing and improving pollution control technologies. Sound science is the key to determining which environ- mental problems pose the greatest risk to human health, ecosystems, and the economy. Without sound scientific information, high profile but low risk problems may pos- sibly be targeted, while more significant threats remain ignored. A sound scientific understanding of environmental risks to populations and ecosystems will help create a more ef- fective allocation of resources—resources which can be targeted towards hazards that pose the greatest environ- mental risk.
Due to large increases in costs of waste management, in- creasing complexity of waste management regulations, and efforts to reduce potential environmental liabilities, many API member companies have implemented in-house waste minimization programs. These programs go beyond traditional approaches to waste management and incorporate pollution prevention concepts.