Sustainable Management of Oil and Gas Industry: Environmental Strategies in Italy

Today, about 80% of the energy consumed in Italy comes from hydrocarbons. In 2001, domestic production covered about 23% of gas and less than 4% of oil consumptions. From a mere technical standpoint, the exploitation of the existing fields and the development of recently discovered oil and gas reservoirs could increase domestic production. However, in a small country like Italy, where the population is heavily concentrated, oil or gas reservoirs are often located in environmentally sensitive areas. The paper examines the technical challenges and the solution taken so far, with particular reference to the following hazards: a) onshore and offshore reservoirs located along the shoreline, where land settlements would cause a regression of the coast and flooding; b) reservoirs located in natural parks where pollution due to release of oil, mud or other pollutants on the soil, or excavation and deforestation, could damage the environment; c) reservoirs located near urban settlements, where there are serious restrictions to drilling and production, limits to noise, traffic, water and soil pollution. At last, the paper examines the environmental strategies that try to allow a sustainable management of oil and gas reservoirs in Italy.