The European Sustainable Operating Practices (E-SOP) Initiative

The European Sustainable Operating Practices (E-SOP) Initiative for Unconventional Resources will develop and execute projects targeted to address the environmental impact and mitigation of unconventional resource exploration and production (E&P) activities. E-SOP aims at providing a neutral perspective on selected shale gas activities in Europe and to account for public concerns related to environmental issues of shale gas exploration and production. It shall identify, develop, demonstrate, and deploy sustainable field operating practices, technology solutions, safety standards, and environmental assurance.
E-SOP will establish an industry-provided “field laboratory” to test and demonstrate best operating and monitoring practices during shale gas test drillings. The project work will be funded by entities not actively involved in fossil energy activities in order to rule out inferred conflicts of interest.
 
A best practice guide for shale gas exploration in Poland has already been commissioned by the Polish Consortium of oil and gas producing companies (OPPPW).

Participants
Brian Horsfield
Theresia Petrow
Andreas Hübner

Partners
Gas Technology Institute GTI
Environmentally Friendly Drilling Program Europe EFD