Environmental impact of oil production activities is observed at each stage of field development. Being a complex and responsible type of activity, oil prospecting and production has an environmental impact, including adverse effects on atmospheric air, surface and ground water, soil, biota and, ultimately, on human health. At the same time, objective environmental conditions in oil production regions depend on production activity of other enterprises associated with various sectors of the national economy. Environmental response to anthropogenic and industrial stresses becomes apparent at local and regional scales. At its production sites, Tatneft undertakes comprehensive dedicated efforts aimed at increasing the environmental safety of oil production processes. It is essential that environmental footprint of oil field development and other production and economic activities be reduced through creation, improvement and implementation of innovative methods and technologies, establishment of environmental monitoring system.
The main criteria of efficiency of environmental conservation efforts is the condition of atmospheric air, surface and ground water, soil and subsurface. This data is provided by industrial environmental monitoring conducted at four levels. The first is outer-space level – interpretation of photos of various physical natures depending on applied task to be solved at regional scale. At the aerospace level interpretation of photos of various physical natures depending on applied task to be solved at local scale is carried out. The surface level considers in-field ecological and groundwater studies, geological and geomorphological studies, geophysical and landscape surveys; corrosion prevention diagnostics of oil production facilities. The last one is downhole level – in-field areal and downhole geophysical surveys, drilling of appraisal and groundwater observation wells.
The present research work aims at comparative analysis of environmental baseline and current environmental conditions of natural environment components on the territory of Kurmanaevskoe oil field operated by Tatneft. The authors evaluate the present field development status and the nature of human-induced environmental stresses. Physical environment, geographical setting and groundwater conditions are described, as well as utility and drinking water supply system of residential areas within the territory of the field. The paper also reveals the main activities focused on reducing the ecological footprint of oil field production operations. Underway is industrial environmental monitoring for evaluation of current ecological state of field territory. The authors analyze the results of laboratory studies of natural environment components conducted prior to commercial development of the field and during the last decade. This analysis facilitates assessment of efficiency of environmental control measures.
