Gulf of Mexico ocean fireball: We need to be concerned

  • 10 Jul 2021
  • 2 Mins Read
  • 〜 by Acha Ouma

It’s time to move on from fossil fuels! When we think of the oil and gas industry, sustainability is probably the last word that comes to mind. Oil and gas are not inherently sustainable. Companies dealing in oil and gas need to innovate their way towards  eco-friendly products and long-term sustainability.

The necessary move towards long term sustainability in the oil and gas industry was made clear by the viral footage that surfaced on 2nd July. The footage was of a fire that appeared to boil the ocean’s surface in the Gulf of Mexico. The fire was caused by a gas leakage that sparked a blaze in the submarine pipeline.

The fire was controlled more than 5 hours later, posing great danger to life under water & causing a threat to the success of SDG 14. This is a great risk and it calls  for change in operations in the energy sector.

There are quite a number of instances that have shown the need to move to more suitable models in the energy sector. In what ways can the oil and gas industry become more sustainable?

Companies in the energy sector need to start acting on raw data & sector insights that will help them enhance operations in terms of the environment. This is through adapting sustainable business models.

In addition to recycling, companies in the energy sector should opt to reduce water waste. This can be done through water reuse and water treatment solutions which allows for safe recycling and water. These companies can also increase oil recycling by focusing on technological advancements to support such recycling. Technology should be used to steer the sector/industry to a greener place for the good of the environment.

The energy sector’s success is majorly pegged on renewable energy. Apart from taking notice of renewable energy because of its long-term gain, it also goes a long way in ensuring that the energy sector contributes to the conservation of the environment. This means that through adopting renewable energy, the energy sector will contribute to the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.