How EHS Managers in the Energy Sector Can Have 95% Time and Cost Savings: a Live Case Study

Read and learn:

• How EHS teams can overcome regulatory complexities and simplifying compliance through technology
• How to think about solutions especially technology solutions

Brett Forkner, VP of EHS at NGL Energy Partners, and Dillon Virva, from Encamp, recently discussed key strategies for managing environmental compliance challenges. 

NGL Energy Partners is a midstream oil and gas company with over $8 billion in revenue and more than 1,300 employees, operating across 27 states.

The conversation covered regulatory complexities, the importance of adopting the right technology solutions, and how to secure leadership buy-in. Brett shared insights into how NGL uses software to streamline compliance reporting, providing EHS managers with practical advice on automating processes and improving efficiency through technology.

→ Managing Regulatory Challenges and Complexities: How Brett does it at NGL Energy.  

Environmental compliance often involves navigating complex regulations at multiple levels—local, state, and federal. Brett highlights the importance of addressing these challenges through structured processes and strong team collaboration.

Key takeaways for EHS managers:

• Subject Matter Expertise: Structure teams around key areas such as health and safety, environmental compliance, and air quality. Each team should have specialists and managers responsible for different aspects of compliance.
• Funnel Process: Implement a QA and QC system where multiple layers of review are in place for compliance reports. This ensures thorough checks and reduces the risk of non-compliance.
• Diverse Jurisdictions: NGL operates in 27 states, each with unique reporting requirements. Brett’s team centralizes operations by standardizing processes as much as possible while accommodating jurisdiction-specific regulations.

Implementing such strategies can help EHS teams stay organized and reduce the compliance burden while ensuring that no regulatory aspect is overlooked.

→ Evaluating and Implementing the Right Solutions: Brett’s Method for Selecting Technology

Brett’s experience at NGL demonstrates how carefully evaluating and selecting the right technology can significantly enhance compliance reporting.

EHS managers should consider the following when assessing new solutions:

• Wide Initial Search, Focused Final Choice: Start by casting a wide net to explore various technology platforms, but quickly narrow down the selection to 2-3 systems that fit your specific needs.
• Tailored to Multi-Site Compliance: Ensure the chosen solution is scalable and flexible enough to handle the specific requirements of multiple sites across different jurisdictions. Solutions like Encamp, which Brett’s team adopted, offer real-time data consolidation and simplify multi-state reporting.
• Honest Feedback: Be direct with vendors about what works and what doesn’t. This can save time and guide you toward a platform that truly aligns with your team’s needs.
• Streamlining Reporting: Look for technology that automates manual processes, tracks deadlines, and consolidates data for better visibility. This not only reduces human error but also saves significant time.

By taking this methodical approach, EHS managers can ensure that the technology they choose provides long-term value and simplifies their compliance processes.

→ Securing Leadership Buy-In and Measuring ROI: Insights from Brett’s Success

Gaining buy-in from leadership is often one of the biggest hurdles when adopting new technology. Brett’s approach at NGL offers practical insights for overcoming this challenge and proving the value of compliance software.

For EHS managers looking to implement similar strategies, consider the following:

• “Managing Up”: Understand how your leadership makes decisions. Tailor your presentations to highlight the key factors that will influence their approval, such as cost savings, risk mitigation, and efficiency gains.
• ROI Measurement: Brett measures ROI based on time savings. When implementing Encamp, his team saved 60% of time on compliance reporting in year one, 85% in year two, and is on track to save 95% by year three. This time-saving translates directly into cost savings and resource optimization.
• Focus on Efficiency: Demonstrate how the new technology will simplify workflows and reduce the burden on your team. By reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks like reporting, you can free up resources for higher-level strategic initiatives.
• Long-Term Strategy: Show leadership that adopting these solutions positions the company for future regulatory changes, reducing the risk of falling behind.

Brett’s focus on clear communication, realistic ROI projections, and proven time savings helped him secure leadership buy-in for NGL’s technology adoption, ensuring long-term compliance success.