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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Drilling waste disposal practices in the Gulf of Mexico

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6774327
The drilling waste disposal practices in the Gulf of Mexico are affected by the Environmental Protection Agency's General NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permit which is currently in effect. This permit allows the discharge of water-based drilling fluids and cuttings, subject to a toxicity limitation as well as other permit requirements. Of prime concern to the companies drilling in the Gulf are the handling and disposal of those fluids which cannot be discharged offshore. The current drilling waste disposal practice is to haul the drilling waste to shore for land treatment and/or disposal. The review of the current practice includes discussions on current (and proposed) technologies, waste handling practices, associated costs, and the applicable regulations for each option. The proposed technologies are only highlighted in the discussion.
OSTI ID:
6774327
Report Number(s):
CONF-871113-
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English