Conoco technology curbs production pollution.

Aspects of pollution prevention programs for oil companies are described. One approach is to determine and grade the pollution risks associated with major subsystems of an overall production system from wellhead to the sales connection. To protect against medium to high pollution risks the method are broken down into the 3 categories of design, operating and maintenance practices, and instrumentation. The major causes of pollution in the gathering and injection lines subsystem are corrosion, erosion, and mechanical failures. Design practices currently used to control corrosion are cathodic protection, internal and external coatings of steel pipe, and proper selection of pipe materials. Design velocities limited to 10 fps should reduce the effects of erosion. In piping systems mechanical failures can be reduced by considering effects of thermal expansion and contraction, water hammer, external loading by vehicles, and pulsations. The major causes of air pollution in separation, treating and storage facilities are associated with relief, and small volume gas venting systems. Care should be taken in sizing relief valves to prevent sufficient oversizing which will cause chattering and subsequent damage to valve seats. Vapor recovery systems provide increased income while eliminating tank vapor losses. Devices such as flow monitors and pressure sensors, can prevent upsets requiring actuation of relief valves. The best way to control noise pollution is to reduce it at the source. This may involve lower speeds, horsepower, pressure and velocity.