Drilling fluids disposal regulations: A critical review
This article discusses the ever increasing environmental regulations which continue to play a major role in drilling operations, particularly with regard to disposal. Increasing costs associated with disposal of drilling fluids (muds) and cuttings plus restrictive disposal methods are a significant concern of drilling operators. Concern over potential environmental impacts and new and pending regulatory changes will substantially impact both offshore and onshore drilling. With the reduced cost of oil and the increased expense of drilling new and more remote reserves, regulatory compliance will become a more significant part of the drilling process. Offshore operators have two alternatives regarding drilling fluids and cuttings disposal: discharge from the platform or transport to shore for ultimate disposal. Under authority of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues permits governing point source discharges. These National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits are limitations based on ocean water quality criteria and levels of technology available to control pollutants.
- Research Organization:
- M-I Drilling Fluids, Houston, TX
- OSTI ID:
- 5991020
- Journal Information:
- Drilling-DCW; (United States), Vol. 48:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
DRILLING FLUIDS
MARINE DISPOSAL
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
COMPLIANCE
LAWS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OFFSHORE SITES
OIL WELLS
ONSHORE SITES
PERMITS
REVIEWS
SEAS
US EPA
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
CONTROL
DOCUMENT TYPES
FLUIDS
MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
POLLUTION CONTROL
REGULATIONS
SURFACE WATERS
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WELLS
020800* - Petroleum- Waste Management
030700 - Natural Gas- Waste Management
021000 - Petroleum- Legislation & Regulations
031000 - Natural Gas- Legislation & Regulations
520600 - Environment
Aquatic- Regulations - (-1989)
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety