Marathon recognized for environmental stewardship

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

Marathon Oil Co. was one of four oil and gas companies which received the annual Chairman’s Stewardship Award from the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission June 10. The award recognizes projects that demonstrate creativity and sensitivity to the environment while meeting the nation’s energy needs.

Marathon was recognized for two projects demonstrating resource conservation in the Indian Basin Field in Eddy County, N.M.

One project treats reduced water for use in drilling operations, reducing demand on local groundwater.

Marathon was also recognized for reducing air emissions by upgrading 14 less fuel-efficient engines with nine “clean burn” compressor engines to power compressors that send natural gas through gathering lines. The new engines reduced natural gas fuel consumption by 350,000 cubic feet per day, or 13 percent of total fuel requirements, which sharply cut air pollutants and greenhouse gases.

Other companies honored were: Merit Energy Co. for its work with the Wasatch-Cache Petroleum Showcase; Dominion Exploration and Production for the largest nature preserve ever donated to The Nature Conservancy of West Virginia; and the Michigan Oil and Gas Association for spearheading the effort to create the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.

The annual Chairman’s Stewardship Award also serves as a challenge to companies and organizations to produce projects that demonstrate creativity and sensitivity to the environment while meeting our nation’s energy needs.