What kinds of waste materials can be produced during offshore oil and gas exploration or production activities?
The bulk of waste materials produced by offshore oil and gas activities are formation water (produced water) and drilling muds and cuttings. Additional waste materials include small quantities of treated domestic and sanitary waste, deck drainage, once-through fire water, non-contact cooling water, bilge water, ballast water, produced sands, waste oil, excess cement, chemical products, and trash and debris. All of these waste streams are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through discharge permits and are either released after treatment or returned to shore for disposal.
Related Questions
- Which wastes generated from offshore oil and gas exploration and production activities may be discharged into the ocean?
- What are the alternatives to discharging offshore oil and gas exploration and production wastes into the ocean?
- Why is effective communications technology so important – how does it improve oil and gas production activities?
