Beyond Bioaugmentation: Economic and Policy Dynamics of Green Remediation in Oil-Producing Regions

Abstract This paper looks at how green remediation can go beyond bioaugmentation to include petroleum economics, environmental policy and governance in oil-producing regions. The foremost objective of the research is to assess the manner in which cutting-edge green remediation technologies, especially nanoremediation and hybrid eco-technology, interact with institutional quality, fiscal regimes and regulatory enforcement for environmental outcomes and socio economic outcomes in resource-rich economies. The study relies on a mixed-methods approach, which will draw on secondary data from the relevant institutions in Nigeria’s petroleum sector (NNPC, NUPRC, NEITI, NBS, IMF) alongside systematic evidence synthesis of relevant peer-reviewed environmental remediation literature. Three analytical techniques (descriptive trend analysis, comparative policy analysis and institutionaleconomic mapping) are in place to assess the cost effectiveness, scalability, and governance fit of green remediation pathways. The research finding reveals that while nanoremediation and green synthesis technologies are more efficient in contaminant removal and have greater environmental benefits in the entire lifecycle, they are hampered by weak regulatory coordination, under-internalization of environmental externalities and failure of resource-rent governance. Postponed remediation generates significant hidden welfare costs related to health, productivity, and the environment for host communities. The analysis determined that the failure of governance and policy – not technical constraints – explains the ineffectiveness of green remediation, driven by petroleum fiscal regimes and enforcement gaps. It is suggested to incorporate upstream petroleum contracts remediation obligations, make environmental regulation performance- based, and finance remediation with resourcerent management. The paper knowledge contributestolinkingenvironmental remediation science with the petroleum economics and governance.Furthermore, it provides integrated policy–economic framework for sustainable remediation