Oil industry companies reduce their environmental impact

Environmental risks associated with oil production and refining are a significant issue in the expert community. In Russia, enterprises of the fuel and energy complex, including those specializing in oil production and refining, have a serious impact on the environment. This impact is felt in the form of air emissions, solid waste, discharges of polluted water and greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon neutrality and carbon dioxide utilization

Achieving carbon neutrality requires the oil and gas industry to take steps to capture, dispose of and utilize carbon dioxide. The theoretical capacity of oil and gas fields for carbon dioxide disposal in Russia is estimated at 305 gigatons, which provides the possibility of carbon dioxide disposal for many decades. However, such projects require comprehensive research and development and methodology development.

Problems at the production and transportation stage

During the oil production phase, the main environmental problems are associated with emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and solids. In addition, there are risks associated with tectonic shifts and deformations of the earth’s surface caused by field development. Emissions of hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide gas during the operation of oil fields, as well as flaring of associated petroleum gas, result in the release of harmful substances into the atmosphere.

Associated gas utilization

Over the last 10-15 years, significant work has been done on associated gas utilization, reducing the scale of environmental problems in this area. This utilization is now over 90%, helping to reduce environmental damage and prevent wasteful use of resources.

Risk of soil and water contamination

Problems with soil and water contamination arise due to the use of toxic solutions during extraction. The solution is to place the spent solution in special containers for neutralization.

Environmental regulations and controls

The oil and gas industry has environmental regulations that are strictly monitored and reviewed for compliance. Air and soil quality is measured to determine the content of harmful substances.

Minimizing risks in oil refining

The oil refining segment uses various methods to minimize environmental risks, including catalytic, absorption, and electro-fire methods. These methods help in separating harmful impurities and absorbing hazardous substances.

Deep refining and the environment

Deep refining can affect the environment, but not always in a positive way. Deep refining products are often harmful to the environment, posing additional risks. However, the use of new standards and technologies, especially in oil and gas chemistry, can reduce negative environmental impacts and promote greener production.

In conclusion, although deeper oil refining does not guarantee a linear reduction in environmental risks, the use of new technologies and standards can have a positive impact on the environment, improving the quality of end products and allowing Russian companies to position themselves on the global market as environmentally responsible businesses.

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