Oil major BP realises significant benefits from implementing the environmental standard ISO 14001. By committing to a structured approach on a long-term basis, it is already reaping the benefits of this environmental journey. Air emissions from greenhouse gases have been reduced by 5% worldwide, and on one installation performance improvements have resulted in 50% annual waste reduction.
In many cases BPs initial environment objectives have been greatly exceeded through the new approach. A great deal can be achieved when all parties involved focus on clear and specific goals. Reducing the impact of emissions to air is one of BPs key objectives. Having already achieved a 5% reduction in greenhouse gas air emissions, BP is halfway to its goal of 10% by 2009.
Since BPXA is a collection of separately managed business units facing different sets of operating circumstances, it could be a challenging task to maintain a consistent EMS approach while allowing flexibility to meet the unique operating needs of each asset. According to Ingram, implementation of the ISO 14001 standard in Alaska has provided BP with a common framework to allow the assets to develop individual EMSs that are aligned and standardised to the greatest extent practical.
BPXA operates under unique and sensitive environmental conditions on Alaskas North Slope, bordering the Arctic Sea. Its operations require minimising impact on the environment wherever possible. Environmental laws and regulations affect every aspect of BPXAs operations in the area. Each oil field is continually enhancing its EMS to ensure that compliance requirements and responsibilities are clearly defined.
Identifiable savings
Performance improvements in spill reduction at the Endicott oil field on the North Slope have resulted in overall annual cost savings of $525,000. These are not fuzzy numbers like deferred costs, says Ingram. These are real dollars of annual expenditure for the asset. By standardising our EMS we have managed to reduce complexity in the existing system, which in turn has translated into efficiency. Overall we believe that the efficiencies gained from a structured versus ad hoc approach are significant.
Documentation of the EMS is on-line and available at all BPs operational assets worldwide. The company has made great strides during its initial implementation to use web technology and eliminate paper in the process. This part of the EMS is very important to us since the records demonstrate overall conformance, but additionally it is our key in demonstrating compliance with the rigorous legal requirements in Alaska, says Ingram.
BPXA has a standardised process to periodically identify significant environmental aspects across all operations on the North Slope. The process looks at the environmental severity associated with each aspect, the frequency of incidents, and the degree of operational control in place. Many BP regions around the world have adopted the process as best practice. The environmental aspects they are currently focused on basically break down into impact from spills, emissions from rotating equipment and flares, solid and hazardous waste generation and disposal, and impact on wildlife.
Third-party assurance
BP was the first international oil major certified to ISO 14001 by DNV, starting in 1997. It is now able to provide third-party assurance to external parties that the EMS meets rigorous international standards for environmental management. BPXA has demonstrated continual improvements in meeting environmental objectives and targets since the certification, specifically in the area of air-emissions reduction, says Dolores Mick Tankersley, DNVs lead auditor assessing BPXA through annual maintenance audits since initial certification. In addition BP continues to improve the processes of the EMS through enhancing the consistency of the system throughout its assets in the U.S.A.
BPXA requires a documented EMS for selected contractors on the North Slope, who represent the greatest environmental exposure through the nature of the services they provide.
We realise significant benefits from the implementation of ISO 14001, but we are still relatively early in the journey, says Norman Ingram. As the organisation seeks further improvements, the challenge becomes greater to identify and take preventive actions. In Alaska we are growing and developing new assets on the North Slope and Kenai Peninsula. By taking full advantage of our EMS in these new operations, we will continue to drive environmental improvement.