Environmental Protection by Oil Companies: The Case of Turkey

Oil is one the most widely used energies all over the world and it has positively affected the economics of countries. Therefore, there has been a rapid growth in oil industries in last decades. In Turkey oil production is relatively growing and many national and international oil companies are active in this country. However, activities of these companies have some impacts on environment. This study is an attempt to investigate the environmental protection of oil companies in Turkey. Using interviews with experts in the field including oil companies` managers and university teachers as well as investigating regulations and laws relating to environmental protection, this study examined the extent of implementing environmental protection regulations by oil companies in Turkey. Turkey has already started using renewable energy sources such as wind power, Hydroelectric power, natural gas and solar power and they are going to future potential alternatives of fossil sources including oil. The results of the study showed that although there are comprehensive regulations regarding environmental protections, there are some limitation in implementing them which causes pollutions with different qualities and quantities. Finally, this study makes some recommendations to reduce the pollution of oil companies.