Land

Waste management

For several decades, the oil and natural gas industry has been looking for new ways to manage or reduce wastes in its operations. These include: reducing waste sent to landfills, reusing materials, whenever possible, and recycling waste into other usable products. Examples range from laundering and recycling gloves and rags to recycling filters and catalysts used in gas plants.

Government regulations also require oil and gas companies to set up systems to track and monitor waste in operations. Some companies participate in the national Accelerated Reduction and Elimination of Toxics Program. Releases of hazardous substances into the environment, above certain levels, are also reported to the National Pollutant Release Inventory by companies that meet the program criteria.