The oil and gas industry was never associated with sustainability and environmentalism—these words just don’t go together in people’s minds. However, things might change in the future. Since we’re living in a world that’s quickly turning eco-friendly, both individuals and organizations are looking for ways to adopt green practices that will make our planet healthier. Modern oil and gas companies are also joining the trend and finding new ways to green up the industry. Here are just some of the ways gas and oil industries are getting safer for the environment.
Better data and analytics
Oil and gas are two of the most rapidly-changing sectors, so having the right information whenever you need them can make a huge difference. Therefore, bug players in the field are investing in big data analytics and forecasting which allow the industry to make good predictions and beneficial business decisions. Some parts of these analytics can be used to improve eco-friendly decisions and maybe even profit from going green.
Accurate and fast data allows offshore platforms, inland rigs and various oilfield machines and tools to run efficiently instead of using just 60 or 70 percent of their capacity. Big data allows experts to understand the drilling process and production process better, so the companies can minimize waste and downtime, thus reducing pollution.
Long-term change in any industry is best achieved with improvements in the field of technology. This fact pushes all eco-conscious oil and gas companies to switch to innovative technologies and choose more effective oilfield equipment which allows better efficiency, minimal downtime and improved output. Thanks to eCommerce marketplaces, companies can trade products quickly and easily and reach the best tech as soon as it breaks the market.
Since modern companies can reach tools and machinery from almost any part of the world, they can boost their long-term efficiency and achieve their eco-friendliness goals. For instance, a new drill collar allows oil platforms to reach wells without the need for unnecessary drilling and resource consumption.
Smart tech
While innovative tools and machinery are the most important assets eco-conscious oil and gas companies can employ, that’s not all. With the support of artificial intelligence and smart automation, they have the additional potential to improve their efficiency and achieve long-term asset savings. By automating as many processes as possible, one can reduce the overall workload and minimize human-error disasters such as oil spills. Additionally, advanced technologies also help the recycling movement and make it a viable strategy for oil and gas companies willing to make a change. Recycling, no matter its shape or form, greatly contributes to sustainability.
Switching to renewable energy
Oil and gas industries are unsustainable by the definition. However, there are a few things companies can do to minimize their negative effect on the planet. Companies operating in this field can start introducing sustainable practices which can make the production processes greener. For instance, renewable energy, solar and wind power, can be used to generate the energy required for drilling, extraction and production, which will make these processes greener. What companies will end up with is cleaner operations and more sustainable industry.
Better social responsibility
While it might seem fairly insignificant, the oil and gas industry can start controlling the narrative by increasing its social responsibility by finding concrete solutions and practicing honesty and transparency. Due to years of bad press and misinformation, the public grew distrustful and dissatisfied with the oil and gas companies. Even though a lot of the hate was well-deserved, it’s important to move forward—this can be achieved with better social responsibility and better transparency.
Good PR is always helpful, but it’s not enough. What people want is to see concrete actions like allocation of resources towards creating better work environments, funding various charitable causes and supporting green organizations and initiatives. However, the best way to improve the image of oil and gas companies is to provide the public with accurate data about the impact they have on the environment.
It’s almost impossible to make oil and gas completely green and environmentally-friendly, it doesn’t mean that the industry won’t benefit from making various smaller changes in operations to boost its sustainability. Since the world is still heavily dependent on oil and gas, taking steps in the right direction is more important than ever.