Onshore drilling presents several challenges, primarily stemming from its proximity to human activity and sensitive natural environments.
According to Petrosync, onshore drilling poses significant risks and challenges, including land use conflicts, environmental disturbances, and technical issues related to operations. These challenges arise specifically because drilling activities occur close to populated areas and sensitive ecosystems on land.
Here's a breakdown of the key disadvantages:
Key Disadvantages of Onshore Drilling
The close proximity of drilling operations to communities and natural habitats on land introduces specific drawbacks compared to offshore alternatives.
- Land Use Conflicts: Onshore drilling requires significant land allocation for well pads, access roads, pipelines, and processing facilities. This can directly conflict with existing land uses such as residential areas, agriculture, recreation, or conservation efforts, leading to disputes and social impacts.
- Environmental Disturbances: Operations on land can cause various environmental issues. These include habitat fragmentation, soil compaction and erosion, water contamination (from spills or wastewater), air pollution (from vehicle emissions, flares, or fugitive gases), and noise pollution impacting wildlife and nearby residents. The disturbance is often more noticeable and impacts a wider range of terrestrial ecosystems directly.
- Technical Issues: While both onshore and offshore drilling face technical hurdles, onshore sites can present unique geological challenges. Furthermore, managing logistics and environmental compliance within densely regulated or populated onshore areas can add technical complexity and cost to operations.
These factors highlight the need for careful planning, stringent regulations, and advanced techniques to mitigate the specific disadvantages associated with drilling for oil and gas on land.
