Ultra, Shell, Questar recognized with Best Management Practices awards by BLM
by Pinedale Anticline Operators
July 8, 2009
Bureau of Land Management Acting Director Mike Pool today (Wednesday, July 7, 2009) announced the winners of the 2009 Oil, Gas, Geophysical, and Geothermal Development Environmental Best Management Practices (BMP) Awards. The awards recognize those oil, gas, geophysical, and geothermal operators and their partners who demonstrate leadership and creativity in reducing the impacts of developing natural gas, oil, and geothermal resources on public lands.
Ultra Resources Inc., Shell Exploration and Production Co., and Questar Market Resources were recognized for Responsible Stewardship of Air Resources for their work in the Pinedale Anticline field. These companies have partnered to design and implement BMPs specifically designed to reduce the amount of NOx and VOCs stemming from their operations. The companies' partnership exemplifies the ability of industry to collaborate in developing practices that reduce the impacts to the health and welfare of the human environment while still allowing for the orderly development of oil and gas resources on Federal lands.
The BLM presents annual BMP awards. Operators, regulatory authorities, surface management agencies, Indian tribes, individual Indian landowners, other private landowners, trade organizations, and members of the general public may nominate operators. Company officials or staff may also nominate their own operations.
A panel composed of BLM representatives, the energy industry, and representatives of conservation groups reviews nominations and makes recommendations to the BLM Director.
Environmental BMPs are state-of-the-art mitigation measures applied on a site-specific basis to reduce, prevent, or avoid adverse environmental or social impacts. By reducing the area of disturbance, adjusting the location of facilities, and using other techniques to minimize environmental effects, oil, gas, geophysical, and geothermal operators are significantly reducing environmental impacts associated with new energy development on public lands. More information about BMPs is available at www.blm.gov/bmp.
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