Environmental Aspects of Oil Producing Operations- Long Beach, California

Abstract

Introduction Environment, Ecology, Pollution - these were called the "bywords of today" by William H. Curry, AAPG president, early in 1971. Others have termed the 1970's as the decade, that will be remembered for the surge of public consciousness for our environment. It is unlikely that any other industry has been affected more by this tide of public thought than the oil industry. Other industries are commonly tied to one aspect or problem area such as noise or air pollution, but the many facets of the oil business make it vulnerable to attack from all sides. It has been said that there is no force so strong as an idea whose time has come. It is rather obvious that the time for environmental awareness is here now. Almost any industrial complex has some noise, air, water, or visual pollution problem. However, the oil business is beset by one additional problem: oil is where you find it, and a producing operation cannot be moved to an area zoned for heavy industry. Therefore, the industry must go a step further in public relations and environmental controls. The problems of producing oil in an urban environment appear to have been extended by some as far as the North Slope. The City of Long Beach does not have a North Slope operation, but it is hoped that our experience in a visible and very sensitive location will be helpful to the industry as a guide to future operations.