Responsible Exploration In A Tropical Forest

Responsible Exploration In A Tropical Forest R. Ratanga; R. Ratanga Smithsonian Institution, Gabon Vert & Shell Gabon Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar M. Lee; M. Lee Smithsonian Institution, Gabon Vert & Shell Gabon Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar A. Louis; A. Louis Smithsonian Institution, Gabon Vert & Shell Gabon Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar C.H. Smit C.H. Smit Smithsonian Institution, Gabon Vert & Shell Gabon Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paper presented at the SPE International Conference on Health, Safety, and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, March 2004. Paper Number: SPE-86582-MS https://doi.org/10.2118/86582-MS Published: March 29 2004 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Get Permissions Search Site Citation Ratanga, R., Lee, M., Louis, A., and C.H. Smit. "Responsible Exploration In A Tropical Forest." Paper presented at the SPE International Conference on Health, Safety, and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, March 2004. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/86582-MS Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll ProceedingsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)SPE International Conference and Exhibition on Health, Safety, Environment, and Sustainability Search Advanced Search AbstractThe protection and conservation of the Earth's nature and biodiversity is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Areas of overwhelming richness and fragile environment are located in Gabon with Shell Gabon's major activities carried out in a protected area in the heart of the rain-forest. Protective environmental measures are considered of eminent importance. These are critical to meet Shell's objective of responsible exploration combined with the conservation of an unique ecology. In this context several initiatives are actively pursued:dedicated emissions reducing projects are either implemented or nearing realisationre-vegetation programmes are executed to minimise the impact of deforestation anda Biodiversity project was started to document biological diversity in areas in and out of oil operations.IntroductionShell Gabon carries out its exploration and production in the heart of the rain forest in Gabon at the west coast of Africa, an area characterized by an overwhelming richness in biodiversity but therefore extremely sensitive towards industrial activities.Our production facilities are spread over two main areas, in the North, the Rabi and Toucan fields producing some 60000 bbls/day and in the South, the Gamba/Ivinga fields with a production of some 10000 bbls/day. Our main operations are at the coats, in Gamba, where is also located the terminal which receives both the production from the South Operations and a large part of the North operations.Our operations involve continuous emissions (1) Oil which is discharged with the production effluents and (2) green house gas emissions as a results of flaring, venting and combustion and (3) the generation of a wide range of different types of wastes. Controlling the occasional Oil & Chemical spills has top priority but is not always avoided. Our activities have required unavoidable forest felling (terminal operations, camps, roads etc.). On top, the sole presence of industrial activity, staff and associated community extensions, is expected to impact the environment. Therefore, the nature of our activities is such that it will always have some impact on the environment.Minimizing the impact to this environment while at the same time exploiting this area rich in Oil is a continuous challenge. In that respect we are focusing on two criteria:minimizing the environmental impact of our operations andunderstanding the impact of our operations on the environment and using this information in new projects and development of the region.To meet these criteria dedicated efforts are carried out :Emissions Control. Several emission reducing projects have been undertaken or are on the breach of being implemented. Novel but elsewhere proven environmental technologies are tested on pilot scale, which should provide us with the full control over all our emissions.Revegetation programmes dedicated to demanding soil conditions in this area are carried out on an increasing scale to minimize the impact of inevitable localized deforestation and its ecological consequences.The Biodiversity programme, comprises a Smithsonian Institution-led field research study of the biological diversity of the Gamba Complex of Protected Areas, in which Shell operates. This programme has provided new insights into understanding nature itself and the sensitivities of operating in a biologically diverse environment.Control of EmissionsControlling our emissions is key to minimise impact. In this context we focus on four core areas:discharges of receiving watersemissions to the aircontrol and management of our wastes andprevention of Oil and Chemical spills.Gabon's law on emissions is limited and leaves room to industry to demonstrate own responsibility and show commitment. Therefore, on all these topics Shell Gabon has set itself stringent standards and targets. Keywords: reduction, operation, emission, smit smithsonian institution, gabon, discharge, installation, programme, exploration, spe 86582 Subjects: Environment This content is only available via PDF. 2004. Society of Petroleum Engineers You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.

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