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what we refer to as "Brownfields."
A google search brings up the site titled "Brownfields
Explained." Surely this will help those with limited familiarity
with the industry get on the right track. The site leads me to
the EPA who defines our mature field term as "real property, the
expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which has been complicated
by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance,
pollutant, or contaminant." That makes us all breath easy and I
would imagine many college students would jump at the chance to
work in our field.
What if we actually tried to put
our uninjured foot forward? How about pointing out examples of
the caribou rubbing their backs on a warm Alaskan pipeline while
grazing. These animals have populated strongly since the energy
development began. Or how about a well painted and maintained
tank farm near a small rural town with cows munching in the
background. Quiet, reliable oil and gas are produced from
hundreds of thousands of wells in this country, yet a few
examples of neglected properties get the press coverage. |
My kids' favorites are the
painted pump jacks that depict animals like fish or
grasshoppers. These would make a great art class project while
students learn about the positive results of fossil energy being
produced in their local communities.
We can be proud of this industry
stepping up and proactively working on issues such as
Environmentally Friendly Drilling Systems (see page 3). This
DOE-supported partnership with industry initiates research to
reduce the size of the well site and explore ways to reduce any
scenic changes. Driving across many key producing basins, you
would see very little surface equipment or land disruption.
There are many positive messages that can be delivered that
accurately inform the public on the benefits of reliable
domestic O&G production. Our federal and state leaders would
also become more informed as energy issues are debated, giving
them a more sound foundation on which to base energy policy
decisions. The increased tax base and jobs created from a strong
domestic industry operating under forward-looking policy
contributes significantly to the country's development and
welfare. |
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SE Kansas Operators Interact
About Horizontal Drilling
During a break, in a
September 15th workshop in Chanute, Kansas operators interacted
about insights they had just heard. Bob Westermark of Grand
Directions, Tulsa, talked about "Candidate Selection for
Horizontal Drilling with Case Studies in Pennsylvanian
Sandstones." A good portion of the reported work was performed
in a DOE-supported project, early results of which were
published in the Petroleum Technology Digest in World Oil (April
2004,
www.pttc.org/case_studies/case_
studies.htm). |
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