As oil and gas are vilified for their role in climate change, it’s important to remember that these industries are working hard to employ technology to help the environment. There have been many advances in recent years, from hydraulic fracturing to horizontal drilling, that has allowed oil and gas companies to increase production while reducing their environmental impact.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the technologies oil and gas is using to make a better world.
Chemical Pump Optimization
Oilfield chemical automation improves inventory accuracy and optimizes routes with tank level monitoring designed specifically for oilfield chemicals. By utilizing remote monitoring and wireless communications, chemical pump optimization means pumps will be working at a more efficient level. This technology helps the environment by optimizing the routes for the chemicals, resulting in less waste and less of a need to transport the chemicals as far.
Horizontal drilling
Horizontal drilling is a type of oil and gas drilling that allows for the drilling of a well at a horizontal angle, rather than vertically. This type of drilling can help to reduce the impact on the environment because it creates fewer surface disturbances.
In addition, horizontal drilling can help to improve recovery rates of oil and gas, which reduces the need for new wells to be drilled. This can reduce the overall footprint of drilling operations and minimize the disturbance to natural habitats.
Horizontal drilling may also limit greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the amount of flaring (the burning of gas that is released during drilling). Flaring is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, so reducing it can help to make drilling operations more environmentally friendly.
Hydraulic fracturing
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a process in which water and chemicals are injected into the ground at high pressure to break up rocks and release natural gas. Some people believe that fracking can help the environment because it can replace fossil fuels like coal and oil.
Fracking can also help to improve air quality by reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. In addition, fracking can create jobs and provide tax revenue that can be used to fund environmental protection measures.
Water recycling
Water recycling is when water that has been used is treated and then reused. The oil and gas industry pollutes water when it drills for oil, so recycling helps to reduce the amount of pollution.
Recycling also conserves water, which is important because fresh water is a limited resource. When industry recycles water, it reduces the amount of water that needs to be taken from rivers, lakes, and aquifers (underground layers of water-bearing permeable rock). This helps to protect these resources.
Furthermore, recycling wastewater reduces the amount of wastewater that must be disposed of in landfills or injected into deep wells. This helps to protect our drinking water and prevents earthquakes. And reusing wastewater reduces the number of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases cause climate change, so by reducing these emissions, oil-and-gas is helping to protect our planet.
Green completion technologies
Green completion technologies are another group of methods that oil and gas companies can use to reduce the environmental impact of their operations. These technologies include things like water recycling (see above), oil spill prevention, and the use of flares to burn off excess gas.
By using green completion technologies, oil and gas companies are minimizing pollution and protecting the environment.
Carbon capture and storage
Carbon capture and storage, or CCS, is a process in which carbon dioxide is captured from factories or power plants and then stored underground.
CCS can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by trapping CO2 before it is released into the atmosphere. This helps to prevent climate change, which is caused by greenhouse gases.
The oil and gas industry has been using CCS for many years to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. By capturing carbon dioxide and storing it underground, oil and gas companies are doing their part to protect our planet from the effects of climate change.
Electrical System Design
Electrical systems help the environment by ensuring that oil production is done efficiently and with minimal negative environmental impact. They also help to conserve resources and reduce emissions, making sure that your business runs as smoothly and cleanly as possible.
Oil and gas have made vast improvements in their stewardship of the environment, and the state-of-the-art technologies they employ deserve much of the credit. AOF Industries is at the forefront of this effort, with oil and gas technologies that allow companies to reduce their environmental impact while providing access to efficient resources that keep our world going.
If you’re interested in learning more about how your company can take advantage, please visit our website or contact us today. We’d be happy to discuss our technologies with you and answer any questions you may have.
