The oil and gas sector feels responsible for its environment and does everything within its power to avoid damage to it. Environmental protection is thus a key pillar in all business operations and systematically applied. 

Naturally the industry seeks to answer to all legislation that applies to it. But with the above in mind the oil and gas sector also targets high standards of quality. The sector thus works according to various environmental standards, for instance ISO 14001. The sector makes agreements with the government, such as in the environmental covenant and the long term energy efficiency agreement (known in Dutch as MJA-3).

Environmental legislation

When a company wants to explore for or produce oil or gas then protection of the environment becomes a matter of law. For most activities at sea (over 12 miles from the coast) an environmental permit under the Mining act is required. For activities on land (or within a distance of 12 miles from the coast), the Environmental Management Act applies and an environmental permit under this act must be obtained. See also ‘Legislation’.

Consultation platform

Because the oil and gas sector has specific characteristics of its own, an oil and gas consultation platform has been created in which agreements in the domain of environmental protection by the industry are discussed and made. Among other important participants the ministries of Economic Affairs, Transport, Public Works and Water Management, the State Supervision of Mines, NOGEPA and oil and gas companies take part.

Environmental impact assessments (EIAs)

Prior to exploring for or producing oil and gas, environmental impact assessments are made. These describe the effects of the intended activities and describe how companies systematically undertake their work in an environmentally responsible manner. These EIAs are based on a generic EIA prepared by NOGEPA. The basic 2001 document (NL) is used for this. 2008 saw an update published, in which changes and new discoveries with respect especially to offshore technologies and legislation were incorporated.