Environmental Responsibility: A Panacea for Operational Disturbances

Reports from onshore E & P activities in Nigeria have shown that operating in the Niger Delta region poses some of the toughest challenges in the world. This region has witnessed a spate of attacks on oil and gas facilities, staff and contractors. Consequently, major oil and gas players have to contend with complex operational uncertainties due to increase pressure from the local communities for improved environmental control measures. To effectively de-risk this region of this category of operational uncertainties, the industry must begin to see environmental performance as not only a measure of how well she can comply with existing environmental regulations, but also as a measure of how well she can pre-empt environmental pressures as well as maintain constant harmony with all concerned stakeholders and seeing herself as responsible to the environment with a view to improve performance. In this project, we have been able to develop SMART* models based on continuous consultation, integrated management approach and continuos improvement attitude (CIA). With a good FOCUS* approach, this will help in safe and effective operations, pre-empt pressures, maintain harmony with local communities and effectively manage operational disturbances within complex environmental settings like the Nigerian Niger Delta area. Finally, we are of the opinion that every industry that seeks to remain efficient and relevant in this millennium should constantly be looking for ways of becoming more environmentally responsible — because no business can call itself efficient if it threatens the environment within which it operates. • SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time Bond. • FOCUS is an acronym for Fair, Objective, Consistent, Unbiased and Succinct.