Drilling fluids firms respond to EPA toxicity concerns

Journal Article · Mon Nov 24 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7229513

Jones, F V; Moffitt, C M; Bettge, W; Leuterman, A J.J.; Garrison, R

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations on the discharge of drilling fluids/cuttings into outer continental shelf (OCS) waters have prompted a major compilation of water-base drilling-fluids toxicity. It is hoped the information in this article will alleviate many of the concerns that operators have expressed concerning toxicity limitation compliance for discharged, water-based muds in the offshore environment. On July 2, 1986, the EPA issued the finalized National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit for offshore discharge requirements for oil and gas drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico. This new general permit prohibits the offshore discharge of diesel (or any free oil) and oil-base muds and associated cuttings, sets strict toxicity limitations on water-base discharges, sets certain restrictions on the rate of discharge, and requires the maintenance of a precise chemical inventory of all components in the mud. Similar general discharge permits have been proposed recently (or finalized) by the EPA for offshore areas of Southern California and Alaska. Because of this flurry of regulations affecting mud and cuttings discharges, offshore operators are seeking information to aid them in their compliance efforts.

• Research Organization: IMCO Services, Houston, TX
• OSTI ID: 7229513
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 84:47; ISSN OIGJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020600* -- Petroleum-- Health & Safety
020900 -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
03 NATURAL GAS
030500 -- Natural Gas-- Health & Safety
030800 -- Natural Gas-- Environmental Aspects
42 ENGINEERING
423000 -- Engineering-- Marine Engineering-- (1980-)
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
ALASKA
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CALIFORNIA
CARIBBEAN SEA
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COMPLIANCE
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CONTINENTAL SHELF
CUTTINGS REMOVAL
DRILLING
DRILLING FLUIDS
FEDERAL REGION IX
FEDERAL REGION X
FLUIDS
GULF OF MEXICO
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NORTH AMERICA
OFFSHORE DRILLING
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
OIL WELLS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERMITS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
REGULATIONS
REMOVAL
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
TOXICITY
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
WATER
WELLS