Sudipta Majumdar, Ph.D.
Amity Business School
Amity University Kolkata

Mr. Amit Mathur paid a farmer 10,000 INR to get permission to drill for oil on a farm in Trombay (Maharashtra, India) and promised to remove the black ooze that would damage the crops. Mr. Mathur was lucky as he found large oil reserves in that area. Big oil companies immediately acquired the surrounding land and Trombay became one of the major petroleum producing regions of India. In a span of a few years, it had started distributing 12 billion barrels of oil and 113 billion cubic feet of natural gas mined in Trombay. This helped companies gain high profits. It also helped in the industrial development of the surrounding area as well as the state (Maharashtra).

But it has raised the pollution levels of Trombay extensively. The oil refineries at Trombay dumped tons of waste containing potentially toxic and heavy metals like carbon and organic chemicals into water for many years. The water in the surrounding areas of Trombay was contaminated by the toxic wastes. The towns near Trombay were also affected as the industrial wastes were dumped off in old wells in the adjoining areas. The off-shore drilling sites dumped the wastes into nearby canal water. People of Trombay had to face serious water pollution problems. Out of the 54 water wells, 50 contained heavy metal deposits.

Much of the pollution associated with oil and gas production was because of the salt and the drilled out mud. In Trombay, the petroleum reserves were found in salt domes and to pull the oil or gas from there, one has to drill the salt out of these domes. When a well is drilled, thousands of litres of brine (salt water) come to the surface. This is then pumped into disposal wells that have been drilled into porous rocks. Drilling mud, another major source of pollution was used to lubricate the drilling bits and flush the drill cuttings to the surface. The mud is a mixture of viscous clay, weighing agents, and chemicals used in different proportions. Weighing agents and heavy metals such as barium, chromium, arsenic, lead, titanium and zinc were added to solidify the rock and prevent it from collapsing. The chemicals used were carbolic acid, caustic soda, ammonia bisulphate, zinc chromate, formaldehyde, asbestos, asphalt and phenols. One third of the drilling mud was forced into rock formations, while the rest of the mud was recycled. The underground water supplies were polluted by the salt, heavy metals and chemicals disposed of by the petroleum industry.

In Trombay, environmentalists found unacceptable levels of salt, heavy metals and chemicals in drinking water. It was two to three times more than what was found in the drinking water of rural farms and small towns throughout the southern part of Mumbai. As a result, many people living in Trombay suffered serious health problems. Many died of cardio pulmonary arrest and with liver cancer. In a nationwide survey conducted on death caused by cancer, the centre for oil and gas production in the state ranked in the top 5%.

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As you read and analyze this case study, your reflective comments are requested on all of the following:

  • Who are the stakeholders, and how are they impacted both positively and negatively?
  • What knowledge and skills are needed to implement sophisticated, appropriate, and workable solutions to the complex global problems facing the world today?
  • What interdisciplinary perspectives would help identify innovative and non-obvious solutions?
  • What insights can you articulate, based on your culture and other cultures with which you are familiar, to help understand your worldview and enable greater civic engagement?
  • What is your position on the right thing(s) to do?

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Comments

  • This case study shows how the rapid advancement of industrialization is affecting the earth in a negative way. Both the oil company and the residents of Trombay are part of the stakeholders in this case study. While the stakeholders initially benefited economically from oil drilling payments leading to industrial advancement, they later experienced adverse effects including pollution, land loss, adverse health effects among the populationjob scarcity, and a lack of safe drinking water and food.

    The knowledge needed to address this complex issue in Trombay is for both of the stakeholders to set their priorities straight. They need to choose which of the two, either environmental concern or economic growth, is more important to them. Understanding of environmental science, technological advancement, public health, collaboration, effective waste management systems is essential to move forward with this issue. Strict laws and health safety rules should also be implemented regarding such environmental issue so that no stakeholders cross their limit which could possibly lead to more distubances in the environment.Naturally, once we've uncovered these oil resources, reverting to non-usage is not feasible. However, we can explore methods to utilize them responsibly.

    With the help of the resident’s perspective who are deeply being affected with this situation, we could possibly identify new ideas and non-obvious solutions. Because we as engineers must follow and remember the code of ethics to prioritize the well-being of all parties involved. While oil discoveries may benefit engineers, they may not necessarily serve the best interests of the residents.

    Coming from a cultural background that values both economic progress and community welfare, I believe the morally correct course of action is to find a compromise in this scenario.Those who have been affected by these problems should receive proper compensation, and we should focus on exploring sustainable energy and materials to prevent similar issues in the future and repeating history.
  • While reading this case study the identified stakeholders are the Big Oil Companies as well as Mr. Mathur. Both of them have tremendously benefited economically from the oil reserves, gaining profits and contributing to industrial development. Other stakeholders include residents, farmers, environmentalists, and the government. While the farmers and residents initially profited from the payment for drilling, they ultimately suffered the negative impacts such as water pollution, health issues, and decreased agricultural productivity.

    Important information and skills needed consist of scientific understanding, community understanding, policy regulation, and technological advancements. Understanding basic chemistry as well as policy-making is the standard information needed for this analysis. Some other valuable information could be advancements in clean energy technology and also possessing skills in communication and decision-making.

    Some interdisciplinary perspectives that could possibly support solutions to this issue could be the key to alleviating this situation. Understanding the ecological impacts of the pollution and assessing the costs and benefits of oil production would be beneficial perspectives. Considering the moral implications of environmental degradation and the responsibility of the government to protect communities.

    Based on my culture as well as what I have been exposed to it is obvious the best way to help this issue is as much civic engagement as possible. Collaboration towards finding solutions that prioritize both economic development and environmental protection.

    The right thing to do is prioritize the health and well-being of communities and ecosystems over short-term economic gains. Investing in clean energy alternatives and technologies to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate environmental impacts.
  • The case study of Trombay intricately illustrates the multifaceted relationship between economic advancement, environmental degradation, and public health implications. Initially, the discovery and exploitation of oil reserves brought about a surge in regional prosperity, fueling economic growth and industrial development. However, this prosperity came at a considerable environmental and societal cost, with severe pollution and health hazards plaguing local communities.

    The stakeholders involved, including oil companies, residents, and government authorities, found themselves grappling with the dual-edged sword of economic benefits and environmental repercussions. While the extraction of oil reserves promised financial gains and job opportunities, it also led to the contamination of water sources, loss of agricultural land, and adverse health effects among the population.

    This underscores the urgent need for a delicate balance between economic progress and environmental stewardship. Comprehensive regulatory frameworks, effective waste management strategies, and sustainable practices are imperative to mitigate the adverse impacts of resource extraction activities. Moreover, interdisciplinary collaboration, incorporating insights from environmental science, engineering, public health, sociology, and economics, is essential to devise holistic solutions to complex environmental challenges like those faced in Trombay.

    Ultimately, Trombay serves as a poignant reminder of the ethical imperatives inherent in developmental pursuits. It underscores the critical importance of prioritizing the well-being of both present and future generations, advocating for proactive measures to safeguard environmental integrity and public health. By embracing sustainable practices and fostering inclusive decision-making processes, we can strive towards a resilient and equitable future for all stakeholders involved in the journey of sustainable development.
  • The stakeholders in this oil drilling predicament are the farmer who allowed for oil to be drilled, the oil companies who came in to drill, the citizens in Trombay, and those who cared to conduct a survey on the matter. In order to combat problematic situations such as this, every single stakeholder needs to make clear what they deem the most valuable: environmental concern or economic growth. Once that is established, you can then see the viewpoints of others and reach peaceful, and more importantly, safe outcomes. I believe that it is very possible to have economic growth with environmental concern, but if I were asked which is more valuable, I would say environmental concern. After all, there can be no growth without the environment that gives us ideas, inspiration, and provision.

    Those who possess the ability to enact change must also understand the inner workings of the oil companies and why they make choices like drilling and expending waste. It is easy to say that spilling waste into water is a terrible thing for the environment and that companies are only doing it for convenience, but they might have limited options. At the end of the day, we as citizens use oil for cars, buses, plastics, and more; refining that oil will, without a doubt, produce physical waste that needs to be repositioned in a way that can make room for more refined oil.

    The perspectives of well-informed citizens who are being affected by waste pollution would help bring in alternative ideas. Naturally, they would want the oil companies gone and put away, but once they are well informed of the situation and the reasoning behind it along with how it all started in the first place (by another citizen farmer), they will be willing to offer up ideas that won't drastically hinder the oil companies as well as restoring their community.

    The oil company must re-direct where they dump their waste; perhaps there is a place on land that could benefit from toxic chemicals like how compost uses decomposed organic material for fertilizers. Perhaps scientists could use the chemicals to perform experiments that better society. Lastly, the company needs to make a commitment to gradually help restore the community that they had a part in messing up because during the process, lives were lost, and no life can be priced. All lives are invaluable; in addition, the publicity the company could obtain from helping this community and publicizing it could bring them more positive attention and get them what they sought from the beginning: more money.
  • There are two stakeholders in this situation, the first stakeholder of course is the oil company. The company’s main prerogative of course is to earn money by drilling and selling oil. The other stakeholder in this situation is of course the people of Trombay. The citizens main stake of course lies within the safety of Trombay, therefore if the water in Trombay is not safe to drink then of course Trombay shouldn’t be a safe place to live. However that is not to say that some profits made from oil in Trombay work their way back into Trombay. Skills needed to solve this problem would require that individuals be willing to sacrifice profit in order to maintain a higher environmental standard, such as having a higher environmental practice while drilling for the oil. This of course could be forced upon by the government of India who could levy a tax against these oil companies if they don’t use the proper practices. Obviously the world can’t just look at oil and gas and say “no” and then flip over to 100% renewable energy on a dime. Since the world can’t just flip on a dime we need to figure out a way to be more self-sustaining. What if oil companies could drill oil without contaminating the water? What if instead of trying to figure out a way to rectify the current process to cause less damage we create a new oil drilling process that is inherently cleaner. We could look toward plants and bacteria in order to find a more sophisticated way to pull the liquid from the ground. Although I don’t believe it's ethical to take advantage of an underdeveloped area and extract their oil and damage their land, it’s not that simple of a problem. The world has a huge oil demand and if that demand is not met there are problems for everyone, however figuring out how to lower the demand for oil globally is a whole other problem. I do firmly believe however that there should be a global standard that must be followed to try to minimize the amount of damage done to the environment during an oil digging process as an attempt to keep people safe.
  • What happened in Trombay shows how rapid industrialization and urbanization is destroying the planet. People who are affected due to the planting of oil factories in Trombay are the stakeholders in this case. The direct stakeholders are Mr. Amit Mathur, the Oil Companies and the people living in Trombay. There are also indirect stakeholders who are somewhat affected. Some examples are the other population of India, for whom the gas prices reduced and other government officials. The ones who profited and are the beneficiaries are Mr. Mathur and the oil companies. However, the people living there are negatively affected due to the pollution and industrialization that was caused. They lost their land, jobs and do not have safe drinking water and food.

    Addressing the complex issues in Trombay requires a range of expertise and skills. The issue is not only about dealing with pollution but also about providing enough employment so that the people can sustain themselves. Understanding Environmental Science and the impact of the industrialization on the environment can assess the impact of oil drilling, while engineers develop cleaner extraction technologies. Good public health safety rules and development in the medical field are also necessary. Legal and policy experts need to create and enforce proper regulations. Economic insights are also crucial for balancing development with sustainable practices. An interdisciplinary perspective would also be needed to approach the problem from different angles and to find multidimensional solutions. We need to weigh the environmental cost of placing oil refineries to the economic and social benefits. So, a solution which considers all of the stakeholders in mind and works towards the benefit of all of them is necessary.

    According to the cultures I am familiar with, proper awareness programs and protests should be held to enable greater civic engagement. I think the government officials of Mumbai should take some action against this and form proper rules and regulations. The people of Trombay should also be given some compensation for this. The locals should also have some influence in this. They should be the involved in the planning process and should be given proper employment opportunities.
    • Your analysis of the situation in Trombay is insightful and comprehensive. Indeed, rapid industrialization and urbanization pose significant challenges, affecting both direct and indirect stakeholders. Addressing these complex issues demands interdisciplinary expertise and collaboration. Environmental science, engineering, public health, legal, and economic insights are essential for developing holistic solutions. Civic engagement, including awareness programs and community involvement, is crucial for effective governance and decision-making. It's imperative for government officials to take action, establish regulations, and ensure proper compensation and employment opportunities for affected communities. Your perspective highlights the need for inclusive and sustainable development practices to benefit all stakeholders.
  • What happened in Trombay shows how rapid industrialization and urbanization is destroying the planet. People who are affected due to the planting of oil factories in Trombay are the stakeholders in this case. The direct stakeholders are Mr. Amit Mathur, the Oil Companies and the people living in Trombay. There are also indirect stakeholders who are somewhat affected. Some examples are the other population of India, for whom the gas prices reduced and other government officials. The ones who profited and are the beneficiaries are Mr. Mathur and the oil companies. However, the people living there are negatively affected due to the pollution and industrialization that was caused. They lost their land, jobs and do not have safe drinking water and food.

    Addressing the complex issues in Trombay requires a range of expertise and skills. The issue is not only about dealing with pollution but also about providing enough employment so that the people can sustain themselves. Understanding Environmental Science and the impact of the industrialization on the environment can assess the impact of oil drilling, while engineers develop cleaner extraction technologies. Good public health safety rules and development in the medical field are also necessary. Legal and policy experts need to create and enforce proper regulations. Economic insights are also crucial for balancing development with sustainable practices. An interdisciplinary perspective would also be needed to approach the problem from different angles and to find multidimensional solutions. We need to weigh the environmental cost of placing oil refineries to the economic and social benefits. So, a solution which considers all of the stakeholders in mind and works towards the benefit of all of them is necessary.

    According to the cultures I am familiar with, proper awareness programs and protests should be held to enable greater civic engagement. I think the government officials of Mumbai should take some action against this and form proper rules and regulations. The people of Trombay should also be given some compensation for this. The locals should also have some influence in this. They should be the involved in the planning process and should be given proper employment opportunities.


    Addressing the complex issues in Trombay requires a range of expertise and skills. The issue is not only about dealing with pollution but also about providing enough employment so that the people can sustain themselves. Understanding Environmental Science and the impact of the industrialization on the environment can assess the impact of oil drilling, while engineers develop cleaner extraction technologies. Good public health safety rules and development in the medical field are also necessary. Legal and policy experts need to create and enforce proper regulations. Economic insights are also crucial for balancing development with sustainable practices. An interdisciplinary perspective would also be needed to approach the problem from different angles and to find multidimensional solutions. We need to weigh the environmental cost of placing oil refineries to the economic and social benefits. So, a solution which considers all of the stakeholders in mind and works towards the benefit of all of them is necessary.

    According to the cultures I am familiar with, proper awareness programs and protests should be held to enable greater civic engagement. I think the government officials of Mumbai should take some action against this and form proper rules and regulations. The people of Trombay should also be given some compensation for this. The locals should also have some influence in this. They should be the involved in the planning process and should be given proper employment opportunities.
  • There are two main stakeholders in this case, Mr. Amit Mathur and Oil Companies who were positively impacted as they gained large profits from the Oil discovery and the farmers and local residents who had to deal with the pollution of their water, even leading to deaths. A skilled enviromental engineer would be able to work on a solution as they would specialize in devising technology that would protect the environment while drilling and refining the oil. Another skill would be making policies, as this would define the boundaries the oil companies couldn’t cross while dealing with the enviroment. Now having greater knowledge in enviromental science as well as public health would give a good basis to synthesis a non-obvious solution as they would know how to minimize the effect on the environment through obtaining oil enough to ensure public health isn’t compromised. Gathering local activists as well as educating others on what the actual situation is and how to combat it would allow for greater civic engagement as those with direct experience with pollution would know what actions to take to stop their issues. I believe the right thing to do is to get government regulations involved to ensure that the oil companies are held accountable for their actions, but to also enforce ethical buisness practices that prioritize public and enviromental health.
    • I liked how you highlighted both the positive impacts for oil companies and the detrimental effects on residents and farmers due to pollution. I agree to the proposal you made to leverage knowledge in environmental science and public health to come up with non-obvious solutions that balances oil extraction with public health concerns which demonstrates a holistic approach.
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