Multi-state commission recognizes BP, Fidelity for environmental stewardship

Petroleum News Staff

In late October at its annual meeting in Oklahoma City, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission recognized “the best of the best” among companies and organizations for environmental stewardship. The awards fall into four categories; major company, independent company, environmental education, and environmental partnership.

BP America Production, Fidelity Exploration and Production, the NEED Project and the San Juan County Cleanup and Prevention of Illegal Dumping Committee were those selected to receive an award, which IOGCC said recognizes those “making voluntarily strides to protect our environment and make a difference.”

BP received the award for majors, receiving credit for developing “a process that converts drill mud and cuttings, a regulated waste, into a non-regulated beneficial reuse product. The product is a low cost substitute for construction aggregate. The advantages include; reduced consumption of natural resources, stronger construction materials, reductions in land use for disposal, reduced potential for groundwater contamination, reduction of waste generated, lower construction cost and reduced disposal cost.”

Fidelity, recipient of the independent’s award, sponsored a soil and crop testing program that IOGCC said “helps irrigators, relying on water from Montana’s Tongue River, to better understand the potential effects of coalbed natural gas development to their irrigated crops.”

The Energy Education award, presented to the NEED Project, recognizes a group or organization that has created a program to educate the public about petroleum.

“Since its inception in 1980, the NEED Project has become the nation’s authoritative source for comprehensive energy education materials and teacher training programs. More than 6,000 schools in 35 states use the NEED program in their classrooms,” IOGCC said.

The San Juan County CUPID Committee received the environmental partnership award for its efforts over the past two years in mapping dumpsites, identifying recycling opportunities and organizing large numbers of people and equipment to clean up the public lands.

“The committee has gathered more than 1,000 people comprised of 140 companies and organizations with more than 100 pieces of heavy equipment to clean up more than 1,500 cubic yards of refuse from public lands, recycled 2,700 tires and removed 200 appliances and 64 vehicles from the public lands,” IOGCC said.

Established in 1935, IOGCC represents governors of 30 member and seven associate states. The commission’s goal is to promote “the conservation and efficient recovery of domestic oil and natural gas resources while protecting health, safety and the environment.”