[FULL ACCESS] Critical Analysis of Waste Management

This assignment involves a critical analysis of the importance of waste management, with a focus on a case study from BP. The student is required to analyze the relevance of waste management in different contexts, identify key trends and drivers, and discuss planning implications. The assignment also includes an ethics checklist and a learning contract, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the importance of waste management.

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
A Critical analysis of the importance of waste management: case study BP
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................4
1.1Introduction.......................................................................................................................4
1.2 Background of the study..................................................................................................4
1.3 Rational of the study........................................................................................................4
1.4 Aim of the research..........................................................................................................5
1.5 Objective of the research..................................................................................................5
1.6 Research question.............................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................................................6
2.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................6
2.2 Waste Management..........................................................................................................6
2.3 Waste management recourses..........................................................................................6
2.4 Concept of waste management.........................................................................................7
2.5 Wastes associated with hydraulic Fracturing...................................................................9
2.6 Regulations for waste management from gas and oil......................................................9
2.7 Disposal options for waste in the Oil and Gas industry...................................................9
2.8 Literature Gap................................................................................................................10
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................11
3.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................11
3.2 Data collection method..................................................................................................11
3.3 Data analysis method.....................................................................................................11

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3.4 Limitation of the Research.............................................................................................12
3.5 Gantt chart......................................................................................................................12
3.6 Expected Outcome.........................................................................................................13
References List.........................................................................................................................14
Appendix..................................................................................................................................16
Ethics Checklist....................................................................................................................16
Learning contract.................................................................................................................18

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List of Figures:
Figure 1: Gantt chart for the research......................................................................................13

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1Introduction
This chapter will discuss about the background and rational of the study. This will
help to under the research problem. Aim and objectives are provided in this chapter.
1.2 Background of the study
British Petroleum is one of the largest gas and Oil Company in the world.
Headquarter of British Petroleum is situated at London, UK. About 3.8 million barrels of oil
is produced per day ( Selley and Sonnenberg 2014 ). There are approximately 22400 service
stations of Bp in the world (Kiron 2017). It is the third largest company in energy production.
It is the sixth major producer of oil and gas.
Waste management is recurrent challenge for the gas and oil industry (Sharma et al
2013). The recent development in the oil and gas industry has determined a basic change in
the path of the industry. The speedy change has demand a uniformly swift development in the
infrastructure required to gratify the ecological safety demands of gas and oil processes
(Leissle 2018). Some challenges of waste management arise due to the production in the
basins.
1.3 Rational of the study
It is essential to recover the expensive fractions from all kinds of gas and oil. It
reduces the ecological importance of fracturing and drilling. It helps to expose expensive
innovative revenue streams. It surpasses the dictatorial standards for surroundings safety. It is
important to recover the useful materials. The inoperative waste matters are arranged for
waste management (Viney 2014). A diversity of waste-disposal alternatives is used. Some

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complicated techniques are used for waste management to provide a better solution for
dealing with the full range of gas and oilfield waste.
1.4 Aim of the research
The aim of the research is to find the key challenges that the oil and gas industry face
to achieve sustainable waste management. It is also necessary to compare the important
factors that affects waste management in developed oil areas with those in less developed ,
emerging oil areas. The ultimate aim of the research is to recommend new waste management
system.
1.5 Objective of the research
The objectives of the research are given as follows:
 To discover the challenge facing the oil industry in achieving sustainable management
of all waste
 To identify the most important factors that affects waste management in emerging oil
areas
 To recommend new waste management system
1.6 Research question
The research will be done to answer the questions.
 Which major challenges does the oil industry face to attain sustainable waste
management?
 How to compare the affecting factors of waste management in developed oil areas
with less developed oil areas?
 Which innovative waste management should be followed?

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CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
This chapter has discussed about some relevant topics. This chapter will help to under
the research problems. It will also help to understand which topics have been researched in
the past and the importance of this research.
2.2 Waste Management
Waste management is the method of indulgencing wastes and provides a range of
solutions for recycling matters that do not belong to garbage. In this method, garbage is used
as a precious resource. Products and substances are arranged in an efficient manner in waste
management, so that they can be used (Schaltegger and Burritt 2017). There are eight main
groups of waste management procedures. These groups can be divided into many categories.
The following methods are commonly used for waste management. These methods are
landfills, recovery and recycling, compositing, recover energy, plasma gasification etc.
2.3 Waste management recourses
Waste management methods may vary for developing and developed countries. Waste
management may differ for rural and urban populations. The management of waste in rural
and metropolitan area is usually responsibility of the local government. Non-hazardous
wastes are managed.
Landfill: It is most ordinary way for the removal of garbage around the world. These
landfills are frequently conformist with deserted and vacant locations around the cities. This
process is reasonable and quite disinfected method for removal of waste (Bosmans,
Vanderreydt and Geysen 2013). Nevertheless, inefficiently designed landfills can charge a
huge amount to the government in terms of ecological and healthiness issues. It is also

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responsible for making of gas that is tremendously perilous. This gas can be a reason for
assassination exterior undergrowth and green house effects. The deposited garbage is mainly
compressed for rising the density and stability.
Burning: This method is used to renovate waste resources into gas, ash, heat and steam. It is
an ordinary method due to shortage of lands. The burning procedure in incineration is never
ideal for the clearance of waste. Particular apprehensions have been determined over some
unrelenting organics (Rhyner et al. 2017). These organic products are causations for grave
penalty distressing environment.
Methods for recycling: The materials such as LDEP, PP, and PVC are biodegradable and
are easier to work with. Nevertheless, complex products are difficult for recycling.
Biological reprocessing: Biological reprocessing is used for the waste materials that are
organic in nature. This method is used for agricultural purposes. The collected waste gas from
the process is used for the production of electricity.
Recovery of energy: Garbage is unswervingly combusted for the production of energy as
fuel. Direct ignition can also be taken for generation of energy (Arena and Gregorio 2014).
Thermal treatment for recycling purpose included burning of waste for the generation of
energy used for household purpose.
Methods of avoidance and reduction: It is another method of waste management. It utilizes
the used product and it repairs the products that have been broken in place of buying new
things. Products are designed for replenishing and using again.
2.4 Concept of waste management
There are numerous concepts for the ravage management all over the world. Some
concepts have been discussed below.

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Waste hierarchy: This concept is sometimes called “3Rs”. These three R depends for
“Reduce”, “Reuse” and “Recycle”. This method is generally used for more waste reduction
plans. Waste management comprises every characteristic of the procedure to control from the
make to the eventual dumping (Eriksson 2015). Collection of the waste material, transport,
sorting and disposal of waste are included in this process. The conception of desecrate
management is considered to decrease the effects of misuse management. “3 Rs” waste
management is proposed to categorize dissipate managing into three major factors
comparative to appropriateness in terms of lessening of misuse. The amount of packaging
should be reduced because it has immense influence on ecological damage. Reusing of
products can help to save resources and money. The advantages of recycling are diverse. In
this process, the material can be reused.
Extended producer reliability: Comprehensive producer responsibility is an approach
considered to endorse the combination of ecological expenditures linked with commodities
during the life cycles into the souk value of goods (Massarutto 2014). The main aim of this
scheme is to amplify the quantity and amount of revival of merchandise. It also try to
diminish the ecological influence of devastate materials. This strategy was introduced in
Sweden for the first time.
Polluter Pays Principle: This principle is introduced to force to pay the party accountable
for making pollution for the damage made to the surroundings. It is observed as a provincial
practice due to the well-built support it has inward in most European Union nations and
“Organization for Economic co-operation and Development (OECD)”. It applies
environmental policy such as an ecotax (Sadeleer 2014). It helps to lessen the emissions of
green house gas. This principle states that the industry or individual who is responsible for
unavoidable pollution should pay currency for remedy of the contaminated environment.

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2.5 Wastes associated with hydraulic Fracturing
Natural gas has an important role for the energy in future of a nation. Natural gas has
been vastly reserved in the United Nations. These gases are commercially feasible because of
progress in parallel drilling and hydraulic fissuring equipments facilitating superior access to
gas in shale structures. Gas and oil exploration and production classically include the
following three steps (Gross, Avens and Banducci 2013). These steps are drilling and
completion step, stimulation step and production stage. In the initial step, the following
wastes like drilling mud, water, cutting etc. are produced. Fracturing fluid returns in the stage
of stimulation. Water is produced as waste at hydraulic fracturing stage. In the ultimate stage,
water is produced as waste. Fluids contain the chemical additives during the hydraulic
fracturing. Sand is derived under elevated force to create and grip unfasten fissure within the
geologic formation.
2.6 Regulations for waste management from gas and oil
It is seen that the use of hydraulic fracturing has been increased in numerous states.
These sates have been updating and developing regulations for needs associated to waste
management. It is believed that management of E&P wastes should happen in a approach that
avoids discharges of perilous elements to the surroundings. The waste-related necessities of
state rules had been reviewed for storage tanks for 26 of 33 gas-producing states and waste
pits of oil and natural gas (Rahm et al. 2013). Several states had rationalized regulations to
comprise revelation needs for the chemicals used in the custom of hydraulic fracturing. It was
seen that some areas such as post closing monitoring, ground water monitoring etc. did not
emerge to have explicit needs.
2.7 Disposal options for waste in the Oil and Gas industry
Burial: The wastes such as mud, produced water, cuttings can be diposed through a diversity
of techniques. These wastes can harm the ability of the land to support vegetation as these

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wastes contain high proportion of salts. Pits are needed to be lined before waste is deserted
into them. Burial mainly occurs at landfill. It is necessary to check for a permit to oilfield
wastes and other substances before the dispose of gas and oil wastes.
Treatment: Land framing is the frequent and controlled application of wastes to the soil
surface. A technique should be introduced for plummeting the concentration of hydrocarbon-
rich, oily wastes before disposing them. It is also essential to control the moisture. It helps to
minimize dust in the dry conditions. A wide range of tillage and compositing techniques
helps to recover the ecosystem.
Thermal Technologies: Two types of thermal technologies are used. These are thermal
desorption and incineration. Thermal desorption happens in indirect rotary kilns where
incineration happens in direct rotary kilns.
Slurry Injection: Slurry is created by grounding solid waste into small particles and mixing
with liquid. The waste slurry is injected subversive into shock arrangements through annular
inoculation.
Maintaining Balance:
Ecological concerns are classically the base for regulation. Many larger E & P
operators maintain standards above those required under regulations. There is frequently
inadequate misunderstanding from authoritarian bodies to guarantee the fulfilment of the
numerous contributors in the lane industry.
2.8 Literature Gap
Numerous researches had been done on waste management. It is hypothesised that no
research had been done to answer the above-mentioned research questions. Hence, it is
important to conduct the research to get the answer of these research questions.

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CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
This chapter will discuss briefly about the method of data collection, target
population, sampling techniques. Expected outcome, gannt chart will be provided in this
chapter.
3.2 Data collection method
It is very important to collect data for a research. Data can be classified into two broad
categories i.e primary data and secondary data. Primary data will be collected to conduct the
research. Total 3 people including an engineer superintendent, a maintenance superintendent
and an operations manager from British Petroleum will be interviewed( Goodenough and
Waite 2012). There are several reasons for collecting primary data. Collected data through
interview process will provide data that are more accurate. It is more efficient data collection
method. The quality of the data will depend on the ability of the interviewer. There are few
reasons for not choosing secondary data for this research. Secondary data is taken from other
source. It has been already used to execute another research. Secondary data can supply an
enormous quantity of information, but the data may not be trustworthy. It is a subjective
research. Hence, it is better to depend on primary data.
3.3 Data analysis method
There are two types of research methods i.e. qualitative method and quantitative
method. Case study will be used to produce an in detail, versatile understanding of a
composite issue in the real-life circumstance. Qualitative research method will be adopted to
conduct the research. It is mainly exploratory research (Bryman and Bell 2015). It will be
used to gain an understanding of the problems (Flick 2013). This method will help to extend
the ideas or proposition for the probable quantitative research (Costley, Elliott and Gibbs

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2010). It is also used to expose tendency in consideration, opinions, and leap deeper in to the
problem (Flick 2014). The sample size will be small for the research. Descriptive analysis
will be done for this research. This type of analytics is done to analyze the data coming in
existent time and chronological data for close on how to approach the future (Helyer 2015).
The major objective of this type of analysis is to identify the reasons behind the failure and
success in the past. Predictive analysis will also be done to elaborate what will happen in
future (McNiff 2013). Case studies can be expletory, explanatory or may describe an event.
Purposive sampling will be done. There will be so advantages for using qualitative research
for this research. It will provide an in-depth examination of the phenomena. Subjective
information will be used for this type research. It will also provide the answer of difficult
questions that cannot be provided by quantitative research. It will covenant with the questions
that are value-laden. It will discover new vicinity of research. The results are limited in
quantitative research because numerical descriptions are provided in quantitative research.
Hence qualitative research method will be used.
3.4 Limitation of the Research
There will be some limitations of research. It is limited by the integrity and sensitivity
of the investigator. Training in observation and interviewing is not readily available to the
case study researcher. Ethical issues are the limitation of the research. The further limitations
are issue of validity, reliability etc. Biasness may be arisen in the study.
3.5 Gantt chart
Major Stages or activities Week
1
Week
2
Week
3
Week
4
Week
5
Week
6
Week
7
Selection of Topic 
Data collection  
Creating layout 

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Literature review   
Research Plan Formation  
Appropriate Research Technique
Selection
 
Analysis and Interpretation of Data
Collection method
 
Data Findings 
Conclusion of the Study 
Final Project Submission  
Figure 1: Gantt chart for the research
Source: Created by Author
3.6 Expected Outcome
The research will be conducted to achieve the research objectives. It is expected that
innovative waste management techniques should be adopted at British Petroleum. The some
challenges they may face to achieve the sustainable waste management. They may work with
SOCAR to find better solution. They will have different options for waste disposal. It is
expected that thermo mechanical cutting cleaner technology will be introduced. It is expected
that hazardous fluids can contaminate waste streams. It is required to be careful during
handling radioactivity. Tank bottom sludge may be included by the generated wastes at
terminals.

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References List
Arena, U. and Di Gregorio, F., 2014. A waste management planning based on substance flow
analysis. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 85, pp.54-66.
Bosmans, A., Vanderreydt, I., Geysen, D. and Helsen, L., 2013. The crucial role of Waste-to-
Energy technologies in enhanced landfill mining: a technology review. Journal of Cleaner
Production, 55, pp.10-23.
Bryman, A. and Bell, E., 2015. Business research methods. Oxford University Press,
USA.Costley, Costley, C., Elliott, G.C. and Gibbs, P., 2010. Doing work based research:
Approaches to enquiry for insider-researchers. Sage.
De Sadeleer, N., 2014. Polluter pays principle. Essential concepts of global environmental
governance, pp.155-156.
Eriksson, M., Strid, I. and Hansson, P.A., 2015. Carbon footprint of food waste management
options in the waste hierarchy–a Swedish case study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 93,
pp.115-125.
Flick, U. ed., 2013. The SAGE handbook of qualitative data analysis. Sage..
Flick, U., 2014. An introduction to qualitative research. Sage.
Goodenough, A. and Waite, S., 2012. Real world research: a resource for users of social
research methods in applied settings.
Gross, S.A., Avens, H.J., Banducci, A.M., Sahmel, J., Panko, J.M. and Tvermoes, B.E., 2013.
Analysis of BTEX groundwater concentrations from surface spills associated with hydraulic
fracturing operations. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 63(4), pp.424-
432.

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Helyer, R., 2015. Facilitating Work-Based Learning: A Handbook for Tutors. Palgrave
Macmillan.
Kiron, M.M., 2017. A Complete Strategic Business Analysis of British Petroleum (BP).
Leissle, K., 2018. Cocoa. John Wiley & Sons.
Massarutto, A., 2014. The long and winding road to resource efficiency–An interdisciplinary
perspective on extended producer responsibility. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 85,
pp.11-21.
McNiff, J., 2013. Action research: Principles and practice. Routledge.
Rahm, B.G., Bates, J.T., Bertoia, L.R., Galford, A.E., Yoxtheimer, D.A. and Riha, S.J., 2013.
Wastewater management and Marcellus Shale gas development: Trends, drivers, and
planning implications. Journal of environmental management, 120, pp.105-113.
Rhyner, C.R., Schwartz, L.J., Wenger, R.B. and Kohrell, M.G., 2017. Waste management
and resource recovery. CRC Press.
Schaltegger, S. and Burritt, R., 2017. Contemporary environmental accounting: issues,
concepts and practice. Routledge.
Selley, R.C. and Sonnenberg, S.A., 2014. Elements of petroleum geology. Academic Press.
Sharma, B., Ingalls, R.G., Jones, C.L. and Khanchi, A., 2013. Biomass supply chain design
and analysis: basis, overview, modeling, challenges, and future. Renewable and Sustainable
Energy Reviews, 24, pp.608-627.
Viney, W., 2014. Waste: A philosophy of things. A&C Black.

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Appendix
Ethics Checklist
ETHICS CHECKLIST FOR STUDENT RESEARCHERS
Student Name and ID: _______________________________________
Tittle of the Project: A Critical analysis of the importance of waste management: case study
BP
Please circle your answers:
1. Will the human subjects be informed of the nature of their involvement in the
collection of data and of features of the research that reasonably might be expected to
influence willingness to participate?
Yes // No
2. Will the human subjects be told that they can discontinue their participation at any
time? Yes / No
3. Will the human subjects in the study be aware that they are the targets of research?
Yes / No
4. Is the confidentiality of the human subject’s identity positively ensured? Yes / No
5. In cases where there is a possibility that the human subject's identity can be deduced
by someone other than the researcher, is the subject's right to withdraw his/her
data respected? Yes / No
6. Will the researcher fulfil all the promises made to the human subjects including
providing the summary of the findings upon request? Yes / No
7. Will all necessary measures be taken to protect the physical safety of the human
subjects from dangers such as faulty electrical equipment, poor grounding, lack of

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oxygen, falls, traffic & industrial accidents, possibility of hearing or vision loss etc.?
Yes / No
8. Will the human subject be debriefed (told the true nature of the study) after the data
has been collected? Yes / No
9. In cases in which the human subject is dissatisfied or a complaint about the researcher
or procedure, will the researcher explain to the human subject that he or she may
express this complaint to the Subject Coordinator? Yes / No
10. Does the study involve concealment from and/or deception of the human subject?
Yes / No
11. Will deception be used in order to obtain agreement to participate? Yes / No
12. Will information on your human subjects be obtained from third parties? Yes / No
13. Will any coercion be exerted upon subjects to participate? Yes / No
14. Will the study involve physical stress to the human subjects such as might result from
heat, noise, electric shock, pain, sleep loss, deprivation of food and drink, drugs,
alcohol? Yes / No
15. Will the study cause any mental discomfort to the human subjects such as fear,
anxiety, loss of self-esteem, shame, guilt, embarrassment etc.? Yes / No
16. Could publication of the research results possibly interfere with strict confidentiality?
Yes / No
17. Could publication of the research results possibly harm the human subject - either
directly or through identification with his/her membership group? Yes /No
18. Are there other aspects of the study that may interfere with the protection of the
wellbeing of the human subjects? Yes / No

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Learning contract
There will be some leaning outcome of the proposal are provided below.
 Identify and utilize relevant previous works that support the research.
 Articulate an important research question or research objectives.
 Data collection for analysis in an effective way
 Analysis the collected data through proper research method
 Provide the expected outcomes