AN INTEGRATED APPROACH FOR RISK MANAGEMENT OF DRILLING WASTE DISCHARGES IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT

Offshore petroleum drilling operations generate wastes associated with rock cuttings and spent drilling fluids during the well drilling phase. Synthetic-based fluids (SBFs) have lower toxicity, lower bioaccumulation potential, and faster biodegradation rates than conventional oil-based fluids. Despite these characteristics, SBF associated wastes still are of concern due to their contamination with formation oil and the presence of trace heavy metals in the weighting agent barite. The main objectives of this paper are to present a holistic approach to the risk management of drilling waste disposal in the ocean environment, and to demonstrate the utility of the approach. The approach integrates fate modeling and environmental and human health risk assessment with technical and cost considerations. Results are discussed with the help of a hypothetical case study.