Environmental regulation in the new exploration climate: After Rio, what next

Conference · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)

OSTI ID:6103879

Millison, D ^[1]

---

1. Ecology and Environment Inc., Houston, TX (United States)

Exploration activities of U.S.-headquartered petroleum companies have increasingly shifted to international targets, in large part due to excessive environmental regulation. However, governments hosting new exploration venues are promulgating environmental regulations, often based on U.S. EPA regulations, which affect the economics of oil and gas operations. New host-country regulations, combined with a growing worldwide [open quotes]green movement,[close quotes] require the new exploration climate to be evaluated in terms of environmental restrictions on drilling, production, and downstream operations. Is the industry truly fleeing regulation, but destined to dead-end in a never-never land of dwindling opportunity Or is there hope for a system of reasonable regulations which encourage [open quotes]sustainable development[close quotes] of new petroleum resources The green movement now places a new burden on trade. Exporters must verify to [open quotes]green[close quotes] consumers that their products are [open quotes]environmentally friendly[close quotes], effectively introducing a non-tariff trade restriction. The playing field of international trade is leveled by adaption of US or European-style environmental regulation. THe UNCED conference in Rio has further promoted a system of international environmental regulation which will likely grow stronger as globalization of trade increases. This presentation focuses on the increasing standardization of international regulations which affect petroleum development. Key issues discussed are: the effect of atmospheric emissions controls on energy development policy and petroleum operations, environmental regulations in Latin America-risk vs. technology-based policies, and linking environmental regulations and international trade.

• OSTI ID: 6103879
• Report Number(s): CONF-930306--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States) Journal Volume: 77:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900 -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
021000* -- Petroleum-- Legislation & Regulations
03 NATURAL GAS
030800 -- Natural Gas-- Environmental Aspects
031000 -- Natural Gas-- Legislation & Regulations
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
CONTROL
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
EXPLORATION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INDUSTRY
INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
POLLUTION CONTROL
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
REGULATIONS
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
RESOURCES
STANDARDIZATION
TARIFFS
TRADE