--> ABSTRACT: Leaks and Losses of Hydrocarbons: Practical Application of Technology to Resolve Acute Problem Manifestations in the World Today, by Paul M. Yaniga; #91020 (1995).

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Leaks and Losses of Hydrocarbons: Practical Application of Technology to Resolve Acute Problem Manifestations in the World Today

Paul M. Yaniga

A view of our historic address to the environment over the past 2+ decades might show our approach to have gone from blasphemy to the sacred.

Today in the U.S., the environment under its sacred status is on every company's, corporation's and individual's lips. However, somewhere along the way the goal of preserving a healthy environment and remedying impacted environs seems to have been compromised. This appears especially so in sponsored U.S. government programs where problem resolution or environmental remedy would now appear a secondary effort to policy, procedure and paperwork.

Perhaps, as a colleague once noted, all well and good that 2-3% of the GNP should go to the environment even if it's only for paperwork and heightened awareness instead of other uses such as weapons of destruction.

The goal remains a lofty goal "the betterment of the quality and quantity of life in our environment". The key is to apply our philosophical, technological and economic resources to the physical cleanup and betterment--not the paper chase.

In world perspective, our neighbors in general lack the philosophy, technology and especially economic power to spend so heavily on non-action environmental matters and policy. They do not lack the sophistication to quantify or understand parts per million (ppm), parts per billion (ppb) or even parts per trillion (ppt). They do, however, approach their environmental challenges and hurdles with a sense of pragmatism borne of an integrated view of environment with their history, culture, status and economic wherewithal.

The author through environmental cleanup case studies of petroleum in Korea, Venezuela, Italy and Russia reviews the occurrence of the problem, the goals, applied technology, results achieved and economic and societal impacts.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91020©1995 AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, May 5-8, 1995