API E5:1997 pdf download

API E5:1997 pdf download.Environmental Guidance Document: Waste Management in Exploration and Production Operations.
1.3.3 Air
Gaseous waste rekased to the air can potentially affect humans, animak, and plant life through inhalation or dermal contact. Indirectly. gaseous wastes may alter the chemical balance in the atmosphere. Acid rain is a known result of altering the chemical makeup of the atmosphere. Otone depletion and global warming are thought by some to be the result of human impact on the atmosphere.
1.3.4 Summary
A properly implemented pollution prevention program can reduce or eliminate pollutant discharges to air, water, or land. API supports cooperative efforts to research and develop scientifically based standards and promotes technical advancements for the evaluation and implementation of measures to address environmental impacts.
1.4 UNDERSTANDING OPERATIONAL IMPACTS
Because exploration and production (F.&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 foundation for identifying methods to prevent or reduce pollution, for expanding waste management options to reduce risk, and for developing and improving pollution control technologies.
Sound science is the key to determining which environmental problems pose the greatest risk to human health. ecosystems. and the economy. Without sound scientific information, high profile hut low risk problems may possibly be targeted. while more significant threats remain ignored.
A sound scientific understanding of environmental risks to populations and ecosystems will help create a more effective allocation of resources—resources which can be targeted towards hazards that pose the greatest environmental risk.
15 POLLUTION PREVENTION AND WASTE MINIMIZATION
Waste minimization is a major component of pollution prevention. The goals of a waste minimization plan are to reduce the total volume or quantity of waste generated and to reduce the toxicity of waste.
Hydrocarbon recovery, an extractive procedure. inherently generates wastes. Some of these wastes are similar to those generated by the general public and can he managed similarly. Most of the waste generated by the oil and gas industry consists of naturally occurnng materials brought to the surface in association with extracted oil and gas.
Due to large increases in costs of waste management, increasing 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.
1.5.1 SolId Waste Definition
According to federal regulations, a solid waste is any material that is discarded or intended to be discarded. Solid wastes may be either solid, semi-solid, liquid, or contained gaseous material. Point source water discharges. subject to federal permits under the Clean Water Act, are not considered solid wastes.
1.5.2 EPA HIerarchy of Methods
EPA has developed the following hierarchy of waste management methods to guide generations toward waste minimization. The four waste management hierarchy steps, in decreasing order of preference are as follows.