Environment and Sustainable Management of Oil and Gas Reservoirs in Italy

摘要

Approximately 80% of the energy consumed in Italy todaycomes from hydrocarbons (49% oil, 31% gas). In 2001,domestic production covered about 23% of gas and only lessthan 4% of oil consumptions. From a mere technicalstandpoint, the exploitation of the existing fields and thedevelopment of some recently discovered oil and gasreservoirs could increase domestic production. Moreover, it isestimated that the application of advanced technologies mightdouble the reserves, mainly with new discoveries. However, ina small country like Italy, where the population is heavilyconcentrated, very often the oil or gas reservoirs are located inenvironmentally sensitive areas, so that their exploitationmight pose problems. After a brief review of some casehistories related to such critical areas, the paper examines thetechnical challenges, together with the solution taken so far,with particular reference to the following hazards: a) onshoreand offshore reservoirs located along the shoreline or inmarshes and lagoons, where land settlements would cause aregression of the coast and flooding (e.g., Po Delta area,Venice and its lagoon, Ravenna, etc.); b) reservoirs located innatural parks where pollution due to release of oil, mud orother pollutants on the soil, or excavation and deforestation,could damage the environment (e.g., Ticino River naturalpark, Val d’Agri natural park, etc.); c) reservoirs located nearurban settlements, where there are serious restrictions todrilling and production, limits to noise, traffic, water and soilpollution etc. At last, the paper examines the local and nationalconstraints and the environmental limitations for a sustainablemanagement of oil and gas reservoirs in Italy.