--> Abstract: Assessment, Design and Remediation of Petroleum Contaminated Pits in a South American Rain Forest Ecosystem, by W. Martir and M. T. Stephenson; #90933 (1998).

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Abstract: Assessment, Design and Remediation of Petroleum Contaminated Pits in a South American Rain Forest Ecosystem

Martir, Wilson and Stephenson, Michael T. - Texaco International Production

From 1992-1998, Texaco completed an assessment and cleanup of hundreds of oil-contaminated pits in Ecuador. For each site, a suitable remedial technology was selected and a strict quality control program was established. Solid waste materials, pit water and contaminated soil were recovered and treated to meet cleanup targets established for the project. Water and soil samples were collected and analyzed in a field laboratory managed by an independent third party.

The challenges of such a large project in a remote rain forest environment included scarcity of heavy equipment and trained work crews, security and health risks, contractor safety, and a lack of adequate laboratory facilities. In addition, frequently changing governmental administrations affected the project schedule and the selection and approval of specific cleanup technologies.

From assessment and remedial design, to final treatment, recovery and disposal of the waste materials, this project employed a variety of successful cleanup techniques that may be applied to similar projects in South America. An overview of the entire project is presented highlighting specific technical and administrative challenges that were encountered during assessment, remedial design, and cleanup.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90933©1998 ABGP/AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil