Environmental Data Management System
Authors: Warner J. W. 
Published: December 2007

Due to the large volume of environmental data now required for tracking purposes by governmental agencies, and the clear expectation that this amount will continue to increase, Amoco Production Company (APC) has been developing an Environmental Data Management System (EDMS). The program consists of four modules: Waste, Permits (Water and Waste), Events, and Air Permits. The first three modules are user-friendly mainframe applications designed to record, effectively and accurately, the collection, monitoring, and reporting of large amounts of environmental data generated by APC and Amoco Canada. It uses an existing production database to identify all locations, facilities and equipment. The Waste Module consists of three sub-modules. One sub-module tracks APC’s waste from cradle to grave, another records all the sites that APC uses to dispose of waste, and the third records all wastes that have been analyzed for "hazardous" qualities. The Permits Module for Waste and Water captures basic data on all water discharge permits, wetland permits, disposal well permits, and permitted Amoco operated waste management facilities. The Events Module collects data pertaining to reportable spills and releases, agency visits, and fines or citations. This data is used for agency notifications and internal corporate reports. All of these modules are complete and are currently in use. Due to the commitment of APC to move away from mainframe computing, APC plans to convert the Waste, Permits (Water & Waste), and the Events Modules from the mainframe to the PC environment. Plans are now set to begin the move in June 1993 and have the project complete by June 1994.

The fourth and most complex sub-module, the Air Module, is under development and is scheduled for completion during the third quarter of 1993. Unlike the three previous modules, this module is designed for use on a PC LAN network that will link all of our Business Units across the United States. The module will track all permits and exemptions' related to air matters. It will also provide calculations required for the completion of air permit applications for every type of emission unit that APC operates. Finally, the module will perform calculations for emission inventories required by the State and Federal Agencies and Amoco Corporation. The results of these inventories can be sorted on any combination of useful parameters. This module will assist APC in complying with new requirements associated with the Clean Air Act of 1990 (CAAA’90) and the new API Strategies for Today’s Environmental Partnership (STEP).

APC is a worldwide exploration and production (E&P) company. In 1991, APC was the seventh largest producer of crude oil and natural gas liquids in the United States, and the second largest producer of natural gas. It is the largest holder of natural gas reserves in North America. Our goals, strategies and vision are to be the premier E&P company in the world. We define "premier" as producing financial and operating results that put us consistently at or near the top of the major companies in our business. That is a tall order, but we believe we have the tools in place to achieve our vision. EDMS is one of those tools! In today’s market, industry cannot overlook as one of its first responsibilities -- its duty to maintain a clean environment.