Capital Accumulation, Environmental Pollution, and Public Health Challenges in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry: Lessons on Market Criminology

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 181-200
Author(s):  
Ifeanyi Ezeonu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Capital Accumulation ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Petroleum Exploration ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Petroleum Resources ◽  
Public Health Challenges ◽  
Expansive Process

Abstract Petroleum exploration activities started in Nigeria’s Niger Delta in the early twentieth century as part of the expansive process of primitive accumulation instituted by the British colonial administration to advance its economic interest. Since petroleum resources were discovered in commercial quantities in the region in 1956, transnational extraction corporations (including Shell, Chevron, and ExxonMobil) in collaboration with the emergent domestic compradors have plundered the resource wealth. While decades of crude oil and gas production in the region have enormously enriched the captors of the petroleum industry, the host communities have suffered debilitating economic and health consequences. This article discusses the public health challenges resulting from this predatory political economy, along the lines of a bourgeoning body of literature that conceptualizes preventable market-driven harms as criminal.

Ghana's petroleum industry: expectations, frustrations and anger in coastal communities

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 397-424
Author(s):  
Jesse Salah Ovadia ◽  
Jasper Abembia Ayelazuno ◽  
James Van Alstine
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Petroleum Resources ◽  
Negative Impacts

ABSTRACTWith much fanfare, Ghana's Jubilee Oil Field was discovered in 2007 and began producing oil in 2010. In the six coastal districts nearest the offshore fields, expectations of oil-backed development have been raised. However, there is growing concern over what locals perceive to be negative impacts of oil and gas production. Based on field research conducted in 2010 and 2015 in the same communities in each district, this paper presents a longitudinal study of the impacts (real and perceived) of oil and gas production in Ghana. With few identifiable benefits beyond corporate social responsibility projects often disconnected from local development priorities, communities are growing angrier at their loss of livelihoods, increased social ills and dispossession from land and ocean. Assuming that others must be benefiting from the petroleum resources being extracted near their communities, there is growing frustration. High expectations, real and perceived grievances, and increasing social fragmentation threaten to lead to conflict and underdevelopment.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND LIABILITY OF LEAVING OIL AND GAS FACILITIES IN-SITU OR DEEP SEA DISPOSAL ON AUSTRALIA’S CONTINENTAL SHELF

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 809
Author(s):  
I.V. Stejskal
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Operational Life ◽  
Accepted Practice

Australia’s offshore petroleum industry is beginning to mature and many of its offshore oil and gas production facilities are reaching the end of their operational life. These facilities consist of an array of infrastructure including wells, wellheads, platforms and monopods of various construction, pipeline and flowlines, and anchors and risers. Many of these facilities will need to be decommissioned at the end of their operational and economic life in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.The Australian government has the jurisdiction to direct a company to remove all facilities associated with offshore production projects located on Australia’s continental shelf, but there is room for discretion for other decommissioning options. The manner in which facilities are decommissioned must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as technical feasibility, commercial risk, safety and social impacts, costs and environmental effects.Two decommissioning options appropriate in some instances are to leave selected facilities in-situ or dispose of a facility to some other location on the continental shelf, preferably in deep water. Residual liability refers to the responsibility and liability associated with leaving facilities on the seabed. If a facility is allowed to remain on the seabed, questions related to residual liability arise:who is responsible for any facility left on the seabed; andwho is liable to pay for compensation in the event that this facility is allowed to remain in place on the seabed and injury or damage is caused to a third person or property?There is no universally accepted practice in relation to residual liability in relation to decommissioning. In some countries, the State assumes responsibility; in other countries the company remains responsible in perpetuity. This issue still needs to be clarified in Australia.

scholarly journals Interaction between hydraulic fractures and natural fractures: current status and prospective directions

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1613-1634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oladoyin Kolawole ◽  
Ion Ispas
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Hydraulic Fractures ◽  
Natural Fractures ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
The Past ◽  
Unconventional Oil And Gas

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing treatment is one of the most efficient conventional matrix stimulation techniques currently utilized in the petroleum industry. However, due to the spatiotemporal complex nature of fracture propagation in a naturally- and often times systematically fractured media, the influence of natural fractures (NF) and in situ stresses on hydraulic fracture (HF) initiation and propagation within a reservoir during the hydrofracturing process remains an important issue. Over the past 50 years of advances in the understanding of HF–NF interactions, no comprehensive revision of the state of the knowledge exists. Here, we reviewed over 140 scientific articles on investigations of HF–NF interactions, published over the past 50 years. We highlight the most commonly observed HF–NF interactions and their implications for unconventional oil and gas production. Using observational and quantitative analyses, we find that numerical modeling and simulation is the most prominent method of approach, whereas there are less publications on the experimental approach, and analytical method is the least utilized approach. Further, we suggest how HF–NF interactions can be monitored in real time on the field during a pre-frac test. Lastly, based on the results of our literature review, we recommend promising areas of investigation that may provide more profound insights into HF–NF interactions in such a way that can be directly applied to the optimization of fracture-stimulation field operations.

Australian States and Northern Territory acreage update at APPEA 2010

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Peter Green
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Petroleum Exploration ◽  
Tight Gas ◽  
Extensive Experience ◽  
Green Is ◽  
Australian State ◽  
Petroleum Resources ◽  
Exploration And Production

Peter Green is the Geoscience Manager: Energy Geoscience in the Geological Survey Queensland and has extensive experience in basin studies, geoscience and the development of petroleum regulation in Queensland. This paper provides a summary of the land releases for petroleum exploration for onshore areas and coastal waters of Australia for 2010. The summaries include upstream petroleum acreage opportunities for the states and the Northern Territory, and geothermal energy exploration opportunities. The rise in interest in export liquefied natural gas projects has ensured petroleum exploration and production has remained strong. Interest in acquiring petroleum acreage to explore for both conventional and non-conventional plays remains high. Australian state and the Northern Territory governments continue to provide access to land and promotional opportunities for companies to undertake exploration and development of our petroleum resources. Acreage on offer provides a mix of exploration opportunities from conventional oil and gas through to the unconventional plays such as shale gas and tight gas. This change in acreage on offer reflects the changing nature of the onshore petroleum industry in Australia.

Esso Australia’s long-term contribution to the east coast gas market

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Fay
Keyword(s):  
Joint Venture ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Free Market ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
The Right ◽  
Gas Supply

This year marks the golden jubilee of Australia’s offshore petroleum industry after the first gas was produced from Bass Strait by Esso and BHP’s Gippsland Basin Joint Venture. For half a century our industry has been driven by technology – pioneering technical excellence and pushing the envelope in the pursuit of much needed oil and gas production. Today, the landscape in East Australia is changing and gas is at the forefront of the discussion. Declines in East Australia’s historical conventional fields have seen gas supply tighten and prices rise. There is a strong need for additional affordable and reliable gas supply. While continued improvements in technology remain a critically important enabler in developing Australia’s gas resources; global supply and demand, regulatory frameworks, and the commercial arrangements that underpin new developments are becoming more and more important. ExxonMobil Australia’s new Chairman, Nathan Fay, has a wealth of experience working with gas markets around the world. He will explain why it is so important for policymakers to establishment a stable free market environment to encourage these long-term relationships. To view the video, click the link on the right.

Onshore Petroleum Centre of Excellence—collaboration by industry partners, government and TAFE to deliver trained staff for an expanding onshore petroleum industry

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 496
Author(s):  
Venner Bettina ◽  
Wood Chris ◽  
Welsh Kevin ◽  
Mossman Fiona ◽  
Goiak Paul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Flow ◽  
Joint Venture ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Mechanical Equipment ◽  
Production Environment ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Training Facility ◽  
Set Up

Santos, Beach Energy and Senex Energy are collaborating with the SA Government and TAFE SA to set up a hub for onshore oil and gas training in Adelaide. The training facility provides a fully immersive simulated oil and gas production environment, as well as static equipment displays for demonstration and educational purposes. It is used for technical training, including safety, environmental and sustainable operational principles and key maintenance activities. The simulated production environment includes different pump types, gas compressors, a pig launcher and receiver, gas metering skid, field separator and small tanks, as well as associated pressure safety valves, flow valves and other instruments. Water is used to simulate oil and air is used to simulate gas flow. The static equipment display includes various valve types, flanges and a wellhead. Santos, as operator of the SA Cooper Basin joint venture (of which Beach Energy is a member), has committed significant oil and gas production and mechanical equipment, engineering design, transportation and installation of the training facility’s equipment. The SA Government, Senex Energy and Beach Energy have committed funding for fit-out, capital works and the running of the facility for the first two years. Industry partners GPA Engineering, Fyfe Engineering, Logicamms, Veolia Environmental Services, Toll Energy, Transfield Services, Ottoway Engineering, Bureau Veritas, MRC Group, Max Cranes, Whitham Media Australia, Inductabend, Toyota Australia, James Walker Australia, Coventry Fasteners, Centralian Controls and Central Diesel are providing expertise and services. The training facility officially opened on 16 February 2015

Introduction to this special section: Exploration geophysics in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 596-596
Author(s):  
Yongyi Li ◽  
Xiaogui Miao ◽  
Shoudong Huo ◽  
Jianwei Ma ◽  
Danping Cao
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Special Section ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Oil Consumption ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Oil And Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Consumption ◽  
Natural Gas Consumption

China ranks second and third in global oil and natural gas consumption, and fifth and sixth in global oil and natural gas production, respectively ( U.S. EIA, 2018 ). In the past 25 years, China's oil consumption has increased 3.5 times, and natural gas consumption is rising rapidly as well. China is increasing its investment in the petroleum industry, with a goal of significantly expanding domestic oil and gas production. Complex geology, rough surface conditions, and the need to explore deep targets, unconventional resources, and offshore reservoirs pose great challenges to geophysical exploration. Geophysical technologies in China thus have advanced significantly in data acquisition, processing, and interpretation. To demonstrate the development and applications of geophysical technologies in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas resources, we invited academic and industry experts to present recent studies on exploration geophysics in China.

scholarly journals Environmental Protection and Oil and Gas Production in the Nova Scotia Offshore: A Guidelines Approach to Operational Discharges

1969 ◽  
pp. 347
Author(s):  
Mikis Manolis
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Statutory Authority ◽  
Petroleum Resources ◽  
Offshore Petroleum

This article examines and describes the regulatory framework governing the production of oil and gas in the Nova Scotia offshore. Specific attention is given to the ecological dangers posed by operational discharges into the marine environment by the oil and gas industry. The regulation of operational discharges under the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and the role of guidelines in this regard is discussed. It is argued that the attempted use of guidelines by the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board to impose binding requirements on operators is beyond its statutory authority. The administrative problems associated with these "mandatory" guidelines are also discussed.

scholarly journals Abandonment of an Iraqi Well, justifications and feasibility study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 85-94
Author(s):  
Dr. Kareem A. Alwan ◽  
Hayder A. AlAttaby
Keyword(s):  
Fresh Water ◽  
Water Contamination ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Oil Well ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Current Time

At the beginning of petroleum industry evolving the regulation did not focus on environmental issues, it was, mainly, looking to natural resources (oil and gas) production and protection. By the time, environmental and safety implications started to be the highest priority, as a result of undesirable impact of oil operations on plant. Huge numbers of dry wells were abandoned according to environmental regulations to prevent side effects which involved contamination of shallow water aquifers, surface seepage of hydrocarbon (whether oil or gas) or salty water, potential hazardous of explosion or soil contaminations, and water contamination at offshore unplugged wells. Based on the hazards above, the main objectives of plugging and abandonment operations is to achieve isolation and protection of all fresh and near fresh water zones, and all future commercial zones, as well as prevent leaks in perpetuity from or into the well and remove surface equipment and cut pipe to a mandated level below the surface. In this paper, an Iraqi oil well was studied as a case study of abandonment processes. The well represents a danger to people, environment and subsurface fresh water; due to unusual raised pressure in different annuluses and copious surface leak from wellhead components while production. Worthily to say that, it is seldom in Iraq to abandon the wells in current time, according to good reservoirs situation. The reasons and justifications of this well plugging, depending on economic analysis and investigation were studied, and explained, according to international practices and procedures of such treatments. The workover option is most economic option, but it was eliminated due to failure in ensuring the well safety and severe environmental impact which expected. According to investigation, pressure and laboratory tests were revealed that P&A is mandatory for this well as soon as possible.

Australian petroleum production and development 2018

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 482
Author(s):  
Graeme Bethune
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Domestic Market ◽  
Petroleum Exploration ◽  
The West ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Petroleum Production ◽  
Start Up

This Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia review looks in detail at the trends and highlights for oil and gas production and development both onshore and offshore Australia during 2018. Total petroleum production climbed strongly for the third consecutive year, driven by LNG. A highlight is the start-up of the INPEX Ichthys project. Production is set for further growth in 2019 with the ramp-up of this project and the start-up of Shell’s Prelude floating LNG project. Prelude and Ichthys are the last projects to be commissioned in a wave of seven new LNG projects that are making Australia the world’s largest LNG exporter and a crucial supplier of gas to Asia, including the largest source of LNG for Japan and China and the second-largest source for South Korea. By contrast, Australian oil production continued to fall rapidly and is now easily surpassed by rising condensate production from new LNG projects. There were stark contrasts between domestic gas on the west and east coasts. On the west coast, prices remain low and supply relatively plentiful. The east coast domestic market was tighter and LNG producers responded by diverting gas supplies to the domestic market. This paper canvasses these trends and makes conclusions about the condition of the oil and gas industry in Australia. This paper relies primarily on production and reserves data compiled by EnergyQuest and published in its EnergyQuarterly reports.

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