ROBINSON, BONNIE B., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste, Washington, DC

ABSTRACT: Techniques for Mitigation of Potential Impacts Caused by Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities

Based on data obtained in 1987, it is estimated that the oil and gas E&P industry generates 21.38 billion barrels of waste, including produced water (98.2%), drilling fluids (1.7%), and a variety of associated wastes (0.1%). Escalating costs of finding and developing oil and gas reserves and the heightened interest of public and regulatory agencies toward environmental issues has been an impetus for the E&P industry to scrutinize its waste generation and management practices. Compliance with applicable waste regulations, minimizing the impact of wastes on the environment, and the reduction of potential liability associated with improperly disposed wastes are becoming increasingly important concerns to the industry.

The use of waste minimization and pollution prevention practices can reduce the economic costs of exploring for and producing oil and gas, as well as minimize environmental impacts of E&P activities. In general, waste minimization means to generate less waste or to reduce the toxicity of waste, while pollution prevention means source reduction or other practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollutants.

This presentation will identify some techniques that may be appropriate for mitigation of potential impacts caused by onshore oil and gas E&P activities. Mitigation should be evaluated on a unit-by-unit site-specific basis, and the measures discussed should only be used as a guide to measures that might be available as deemed appropriate by the operator. The techniques to be discussed involve all aspects of a drilling operation, from design and planning, drillsite construction, exploration and development drilling, and production operations, to closure.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90987©1993 AAPG Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 25-28, 1993.