CONTRIBUTING TO APEA'S RESPONSE ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES — THE NEED FOR SHARING MEMBER COMPANIES' EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

Abstract

In early 1986 the APEA Environmental Affairs Committee developed an environmental policy to provide a framework for the Association's response on environmental issues which affect the petroleum industry. To fulfil the aims of this document there is a need for member companies to assist the committee in addressing and promoting the industry's environmental management aims. Environment is defined in broad terms in current legislation. To embrace this definition, APEA must adopt a position that reflects the industry's desire to be represented at the policy review stages of such environmental issues as land use proposals. Since 1971 only eight papers in the APEA Journal have addressed environmental issues. Companies have generally not shared or promoted their individual responses to such issues, although there would be value to the industry as a whole through identifying and discussing environmental management expertise and experience within APEA. Two examples of environmental management practice applied by CSR in Delhi Petroleum's activities in South Australia and Queensland are discussed: a demonstration seismic line within the Witjira National Park, South Australia and the use of rollers for seismic line preparation. Similar examples can probably be identified for all member companies. In generating a pool of operational examples, APEA might better represent the industry's ability and record in this field to governments and to the general public.