Analytical, coaching, and communication skills can be used to good effect in education and industry alike, as Fugitive Emissions Journal discovered during a highly engaging interview with PROtect’s MaryBeth Clifford. She kindly—and patiently!—explained the multi-faceted role environmental consultants play when helping operating companies interpret and implement complex standards related to emissions.
By KCI Editorial
Working as an environmental consultant, Clifford sees her fundamental role as providing clients with guidance on meeting state and federal regulations. It is a job she clearly relishes. “Much of my time is spent digging into details. That can include reviewing the company’s overall operations, mapping out its production processes and specifying all items of equipment. Next stop is to assess applicable state and federal regulations as well as to review the company’s permits. Often the result is a spreadsheet, checklist, or SOP, which helps companies to quickly see how they are performing in terms of environmental goals.”
This is a world far removed from her initial career path. Indeed, Clifford described her entry into environmental consultancy as something of a ‘collision course’. Having spent 15 years in education and with a young family, she was looking to transition to more of a home-based job. When a parent suggested her talents were an ideal match to help analyse air quality regulations for stationary engines, Clifford decided to take a leap of faith. “Honestly, I had no idea what a stationary engine was at the time, but the work sounded interesting, so I started out as an administrative assistant. I remember spending hours thoroughly reading up on all applicable rules, which we would subsequently parse out into different compliance categories and action items. These were used to assist operators in understanding their compliance requirements, which then led to helping build workflows to manage compliance. And from there the work snowballed, as of course engines are also widely used in other sectors, such as oil and gas for compression purposes.”
Motivation Counts
Having quickly settled into her new working environment, Clifford saw further opportunities for growth when the EPA launched NSPS OOOOa (QUAD Oa) in 2016.
“I decided to develop my expertise in fugitive emissions, so I took a deep dive into QUAD Oa and built workflows around these processes. At the time, LDAR was still a relatively unfamiliar concept for upstream companies, so I was in an ideal position to help guide many operators through the emerging requirements.”
Looking back on those formative years, Clifford acknowledged the tremendous support she received from many quarters. “I joined essentially as a rookie but was highly motivated and soon able to learn from experienced people in the industry who were willing to share their experiences and insights. I was truly blessed with having such good mentors plus ready access to subject matter experts. But in a sense, the frequent emergence of fresh insights and new regulations effectively creates a level playing field where we are all continually compelled to acquire new skillsets. If you are tenacious and determined to keep on digging to acquire a full under standing, then you will be just as well equipped as anybody else.”
Next Generation
Asked about challenges in the oil and gas industry, Clifford immediately discussed a so-called ‘generation gap’. “On one side, the industry benefits from having highly seasoned employees, people in their 60s who can draw on 40 years of experience. They are adept at identifying, understanding, and solving engineering problems. Yet there are relatively few people under them, by which I mean people in their 40s and 50s. That really is a lost generation. Fortunately, there is currently an influx of new, younger workers into oil and gas and the positive thing about this generation is their understanding of, and respect for, automation. What is important therefore is to have these two generations working together, sharing insights and transferring knowledge. Because at the end of the day, if a piece of equipment fails, then practical experience and hands-on skills remain the key to finding a solution.”
“A basic appreciation of each other’s work can bring benefits to all, helping to facilitate overall compliance and enhance good stewardship.”
Clifford is also positive about the younger generation’s environmental convictions. “I am noticing that graduates are joining the oil and gas industry because they want to create change. That is a recurring theme amongst the younger generation: they are seeking work that is impactful and meaningful. For example, I have seen many college kids excited to conduct LDAR inspections as part of their internships because they regard such work as contributing to a greener, cleaner planet. Of course, we all need to make a living, but their perspective is a little different; they want to make a living by making a difference.”
Uniting People
As a professional, Clifford enjoys fostering cooperation among teams traditionally active in separate disciplines. “In many sectors –not just oil and gas – operations departments, maintenance crews, environmental teams, and safety officers tend to work independently. Yet having even a basic appreciation of each other’s work can bring benefits to all, helping for example to facilitate overall compliance and enhance good stewardship. If people understand why certain actions are required, they are much more likely to be cooperative. That is why effective communication is so important.”
Partnership truly is the name of the game, Clifford continued. “I am starting to see change, with increasingly structured information emerging from operations teams. That is critical because they are the ones working in the field, managing the processes, arranging maintenance, conducting repairs, and so forth. If they properly document activities, then environmental staff will have more reliable and richer data with which to demonstrate compliance.”
Responsible Sector
The history of the oil and gas sector is characterized by cycles of ‘boom and bust’. Against this backdrop, Clifford has nothing but respect for companies able to ride out the highs – and especially the lows. “Whatever the cause of a downturn, be it regulatory aspects or supply and demand issues, the petroleum industry shows true resilience. Environmental consultants come into their own in times of uncertainty, as we help companies understand new or modified regulations, especially in light of administration changes, judicial reviews, and the like. Smaller companies in particular benefit from guidance, as for them, regulatory issues imply proportionally higher costs and challenges.”
Whatever the external factors and pressures, today’s oil and gas industry readily shoulders its responsibilities, stated Clifford. “Honestly speaking, oil companies do demonstrate good governance, such as taking steps to reduce emissions. Whatever the political climate, I fully expect such initiatives to continue. And not just because environmental credibility is important for those looking to market products nationally and internationally. Companies are increasingly realizing that many regulations make good business sense. Reducing emissions means higher productivity. More product to sell means a better ROI.”
“Companies are increasingly realizing that many regulations make good business sense. Reducing emissions means higher productivity.”
Listening to Clifford, her passion and conviction are clear: environmental compliance is anything but an inconvenient necessity. Rather, compliance is a genuine opportunity to create win-win situations for all.
About PROtect LLC
With locations across the USA, PROtect provides safety, reliability, and compliance services. Serving a diverse array of industries including refining, petrochemical, renewable fuels, manufacturing, food & beverage, fertilizer, and oil & gas, the company’s foundation is built on decades of practical expertise.
According to the company website, PROtect specializes in protecting client companies from unnecessary risks related to employee injury, property damage, liability, unplanned downtime, and regulatory non-compliance.
While many of PROtect’s activities are office-based, a significant portion of its workforce operates in the field, providing a range of services. Clifford explained that although she and other consultants primarily work from the office, many colleagues are LDAR technicians who either travel or are part of “nested teams”—technicians permanently contracted by specific facilities. For instance, natural gas processing plants often have nested teams of two to three people dedicated solely to conducting LDAR programs on-site.