Advancing Waste Management in the Oil and Gas Industry : Analyzing Country-Specific Approaches in Iraq, Russia and Norway

Sammanfattning

This thesis examines the implementation of circular economy (CE) principles in wastemanagement within the oil and gas industry, using Iraq, Russia, and Norway as case studycountries. With escalating global environmental concerns, there is increasing urgency forindustries, particularly high-impact ones such as oil and gas, to shift from linear models ofresource utilization to more sustainable practices. Iraq, Russia, and Norway were selected due totheir significant roles in the global oil and gas sector, each representing distinct operationalenvironments and institutional contexts, providing a robust basis for comparative analysis. Based on semi-structured interviews with industry professionals across these three countries, thisresearch identifies key waste types, existing management practices, and obstacles to adoptingcircular economy strategies. Despite significant variations, all three countries demonstrateemerging sustainability efforts and innovations, including improved water reuse, waste-to-energytechnologies, and modular infrastructure designs. Findings highlight the critical role of financial stability, technological access, and institutionalsupport in enabling CE adoption. The incorporation of Porter's Diamond Model further providesan analytical lens to comparatively assess how national competitive factors influence wastemanagement outcomes. The thesis concludes with actionable policy recommendationsemphasizing the necessity for stronger regulatory frameworks, targeted financial incentives, andincreased technological collaboration to facilitate circular transitions in Iraq, Russia, andNorway's oil and gas sectors. This study contributes to the existing literature by offeringempirical insights and practical implications aimed at accelerating sustainable transitions withinthe global oil and gas industry.