StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Environmental Performance in Offshore Oil and Gas - Coursework Example

Cite this document
Summary
This coursework "Environmental Performance in Offshore Oil and Gas" focuses on the increased need for energy independence that has seen a rise in offshore drilling activities. Oil companies are exploring offshore drilling as a means of producing energy to make countries energy independent. …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER95.8% of users find it useful
Environmental Performance in Offshore Oil and Gas
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Environmental Performance in Offshore Oil and Gas"

? The Impact of Drilling Fluid on Safety and Environmental Performance in Offshore Oil and Gas Production al Affiliation\ Course Name Date of Submission The Impact of Drilling Fluid on Safety and Environmental Performance in Offshore Oil and Gas Production The increased need for energy independence has seen a rise in offshore drilling activities in the recent past. Beckman (2013:3) observed that oil companies are increasingly exploring offshore drilling as a means of producing energy that can make countries energy independent. The increased exploration of offshore oil and gas has also resulted in the increased use of large amounts of drilling fluid (mud), including water-based, oil-based, and synthetic-based fluids to enhance the drilling activities (International Association of Oil & Gas Producers 2003:13). Drilling fluids are used in offshore oil and gas exploration for a number of reasons, including lubricating the drill bit, cleaning and conditioning the hole, maintaining the pressure of the borehole, as well as washing out rock cuttings out of the borehole to the surface. The drilling fluids is not normally used in its original state, instead, the fluids are mixed with some chemicals in order to maintain their properties. However, there has been an increased concern of the impacts of the drilling fluids and solid cuttings on the environment. GESAMP (1993:18) reported that these solid cuttings and drilling fluids contain hazardous chemical mixture that pose a danger to the environment, particularly to the marine life. As such, there is increased need for solid and gas drilling companies to ensure proper disposal of solid cuttings and drilling fluids as a means of conserving the environment. The main environmental issue linked to the drilling fluids concerns its negative impact on the performance and the continuous accumulation of solid cuttings (AUMS 1989:1). The aim of this paper is to examine some of the environmental issues related to drilling fluid management in light of the various types of drilling fluids. The paper will also explore the negative environmental impacts of improper disposal of drilling waste. Finally, the paper will conclude by discussing measures that oil companies need to take to mitigate the environmental impacts of the drilling fluids. The exploration of offshore oil and gas has intensified in the recent past. This is attributable to the increased need for energy independent. Even though the use of fossil fuel energy has been blamed for the increased production of greenhouse gases that cause global warming, its exploration is not about to end anytime soon. The world will still experience increased exploration of oil and gas (Reis 1996:6). However, the rate at which offshore exploration has increased in the recent past has caused many concerns, especially to environmentalists (Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association Ltd 1998:51). This is attributable to the magnitude of pollutants generated by the drilling activities. Normally, when exploring offshore oil and gas, engineers normally use the drilling fluid (mud) to lubricate the drill bit, wash out the solid cuttings, condition the hole, as well as to maintain the pressure of the borehole. This is very important for effective exploration of offshore oil and gas, according to Armsworthy, ? Cranford, ?and Lee (2005:8). The drilling fluids used in the exploration of offshore oil and gas are normally not pure. They often contain additives and chemicals meant to enhance the operational property of the final mixture (Cordah Environmental Management Consultants 2000:5). The operational properties enhance using chemicals and additives include density, reactivity, viscosity, ion-exchange parameters, salinity, and fluid loss. Obtaining the right property of the fluid is important for ensuring effective drilling operation. The main types of drilling fluids in use include water-based fluids and non-aqueous fluids. Water-based fluid is a drilling fluid which comprising of a mixture of water, barite and bentonite clay. This mixture helps in enhancing the density of the drilling fluid, to become hydrostatic head (Beak Consultants and Imperial Oil Limited 1974:3). However, other chemical substances are added to the mixture in order to obtain the needed drilling properties. The additives used in this case include lignosulphonate, anionic polymers, carboxymethyl cellulose, and polyglycols among other chemicals. The composition of water-based fluids depends largely on the density of the fluid. Non-aqueous drilling fluids comprise all non-water fluids in offshore oil and gas exploration. Like in water-based fluids, non-aqueous drilling fluids are also mixed with additives to enhance the property of the fluid (Humphries 2010:31). Emulsions are added to increase the stability of the water-in-oil emulsions. Just as with water-based fluids, barite is normally added to the non-aqueous drilling fluids to obtain sufficient density. Environmental Issues Energy is one of the most important resources for any country. This is because almost all operations of a country, including industries, automobiles and lighting depend on energy. As earlier stated, most companies are moving towards offshore drilling to explore oil and gas (Azar and Samuel 2007:84). Even though such exploration have come with many benefits, their impacts on the environment is devastating. The drilling fluids used in the exploration processes are mixed with some chemical substances, which are very toxic (Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers 2000:15). For instance, in order to obtain the right chemical property of water-based fluid, chemicals such as barite and bentonite clay are normally added. The same applies to non-aqueous drilling fluids, which contains additives, including lignosulphonate, anionic polymers, carboxymethyl cellulose, and polyglycols (Delvigne 1996:12). The release of these toxic chemical substances pollutes the environment, which interferes with marine life and the surface soil. Drill fluids and solid cuttings may be water-based or oil based with varying amounts of heavy metals and hydrocarbons. For instance, research has shown that oil-based drilling fluids are highly saturated with hydrocarbons, which could be as high as 60%. The same also applies to Spent drilling fluids and solid cuttings, which are contaminated with about 2% of waste volume. Candler et al. (1995:56) noted that the drill cuttings waste is produced in large quantities during the drilling exercise. For instance, in the Norwegian sector of North Seas drilling location, about 2.5 million tons of drill cuttings are produced every year. Testing done on the drill cuttings show that these cuttings contain a variety of organic and inorganic toxic substances, which are very toxic, according to Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (2000:2). The release of these chemical substances from the drilling fluids affects negatively on the physical environment. Canadian Marine Drilling Ltd (2004:1) noted that, because drilling fluids contain toxic chemicals described above, there improper disposal have immediate negative impact on the marine life. Since the drilling is conducted in the sea, the discharge of the fluid mixed with toxic chemical substance may mix with water that the aquatic life depends on, resulting in death of marine life. There has been a growing concern of the diminishing number of marine life in areas where offshore drillings take place. This has been reported in countries, such as the U.S., Nigeria, Norway, and many other countries (DOE (2013:3). Environmentalist has blamed the death of aquatic life in these areas to the improper discharge of toxic drill fluid that contaminate waters, thereby killing marine animals. The disposal of the toxic drilling fluids also affects negatively the environment by making the flow of oxygen impossible. All marine life depends on oxygen in water for gaseous exchange (Azar and Samuel 2007:26). However, the discharge of oil fluids from the drilling activities at the offshore contaminates the waters, as well as blocking the free circulation of oxygen in waters. This makes breaching impossible to the aquatic life resulting in death. The Gulf of Mexico oil spill that killed several marine lives is a classical example of the negative environmental impacts of drill fluids on marine life (AMBIOS Environmental Consultants Ltd 1999:14). Following the oil spill, most aquatic animals at the Gulf of Mexico could not find enough oxygen to breathe, resulting in the death of most animals, including fish, duck, and other animals found in the area. Environmentalist has since been concerned about the offshore oil and gas exploration due to its negative impact on the environment. Environmentalists are also concerned that the chemicals and additives used in the drilling fluids exposes the rig workers health at risk. The chemicals used in the fluids are very corrosive and cause irritation when they are exposed to the human skin (ASME Shale Shaker Committee 2011:51). In addition, the fuses that come from the drilling activity also exposes the workers on site a risk of inhaling toxic chemicals that are harmful to their health. Wills attributes this to the fact that chemicals can cause heart problems and other chronic health diseases (2000:11) As such, proper safety measures must be guaranteed to ensure that workers health is not compromised by the toxic drilling fluids. The toxic drilling fluid discharges on the seas pollute the waters that people depend on for bathing and drinking. This increases health risk to the community around that depends on the waters around for drinking and bathing (Reis 1996:14). As earlier stated, the drilling fluids contain toxic chemicals that need not to be exposed to the human skin. As such, improper disposal of these toxic fluids may cause serious health risks to those who swim at the breaches where the waters are mixed with these toxic drilling fluids. Such cases have been reported among communities living in areas where offshore oil and gas exploration occurs. Global warming is also one of the most serious environmental issues that confront the world today. Global warning effect has been blamed on increased emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Environmentalists have observed that offshore exploration of oil and gas results in emission of greenhouse gases that are responsible for global warming (DOE 2013:12). The gases come mainly from the drilling fluids mixed with additives that are released to the environment during the drilling process. Some of the effects of global warming include rising temperatures, sea levels, increased doubts in some parts of the world, heavy downpours and increased glacial movements just to name but a few (American Petroleum Institute 1995:44). These effects are impacting negatively on the environment, thus need control and mitigation. Conclusion Environmental pollution and other health and safety issues resulting from improper disposal of drilling fluids during offshore oil and gas exploration need to be solved by the oil industries. This will help in protecting the environment from degradation and pollution, thereby making the world better places to live. This may require replacing the drilling fluid and drill cuttings with alternative technologies that are environment friendly. In this regard, oil companies conducting offshore drilling to consider treating the drilling fluids before discharging the waste into the nearby waters. The oil companies should also consider using a technology that ensures that all drill cuttings are removed on to the sources to avoid accumulating underground that is dangerous to marine life. References AMBIOS Environmental Consultants Ltd. (1999) Impact of Offshore Disposal Solutions. London: United Kingdom Offshore Operators' Association. American Petroleum Institute (1995) Proceedings: Workshop to Identify Promising Technologies for the Treatment of Produced Water Toxicity. Health and Environmental Sciences Departmental Report No. DR351. Virginia: Parsons Engineering Science 4 (1), 2-89. Armsworthy, ? S. L., Cranford, ? P. J., & Lee, K. (2005) Offshore Oil And Gas Environmental Effects Monitoring: Approaches and Technologies. New York, NY: Battelle Press. ASME Shale Shaker Committee (2011) Drilling Fluids Processing Handbook. New York, NY: Elsevier. AUMS (1989) Investigation into the Flavour and Tissue Hydrocarbon Content Of Fish Caught at an Oil Production Platform. Unpublished report by Aberdeen University Marine Studies Ltd for UKOOA 5 (3), 4-78. Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association Ltd (1998) Framework for the Environmental Management of Offshore Discharge of Drilling Fluid on Cuttings 126 (1), 2-28. Azar, J. J., & Samuel, R. G. (2007) Drilling Engineering. New York, NY: PennWell Books. Beak Consultants and Imperial Oil limited (1974) Disposal of Waste Drilling Fluids in the Canadian Arctic. APOA project no.73. APOA, Calgary. Beckman, D. W. (2013) Marine Environmental Biology and Conservation. Hoboken, NJ: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Canadian Marine Drilling Ltd. (2004) SSDC/MAT Environmental Protection Manual. Canmar. Canada Nature Network. 2004. Species at Risk Provincial Report 2004 (online) available from http://www.cnf.ca/pdf/ProvincialRCNS.pdf#search=%22nova%20scotia%20endangered %20species%20act%22 [20 Dec. 2013] Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (2000) Directory of Offshore Wells (online) available from 2013 http://www.cnsopb.ns.ca/resources/pdf/DirectoryWells.pdf [20 Dec. 2013] Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (2000) Global Climate Change Voluntary Challenge Guide. Calgary, AB: CAPP. Candler, J. E., Sam, H., Marc, C., Wei, L. C., Michael, F., & M-I Drilling Fluids L.L.C. (1995) Seafloor Monitoring for Synthetic-Based Mud Discharged in the Western Gulf of Mexico. SPE Paper 29694, 3 (2), 14-48. Cordah Environmental Management Consultants (2000) Determination of the Physical Characteristics of Cuttings Piles, Using Existing Survey Data and drilling Information: R & D Programme 1.1. A Report for the UKOOA Drill Cuttings Joint Industry Project 5 (1), 2-28. Delvigne, G. A. L. (1996) Laboratory Investigations on the Fate and Physicochemical Properties of Drill Cuttings after Discharge into the Sea. Paper 3, E&P Forum Joint Study – The Physical and Biological Effects of Processed Oily Drill Cuttings, E&P Forum Report Number 2.61/202. DOE (2013) Environmental Benefits of Advanced Oil and Gas Production Technology," DOE-FE-0385, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, (online) available from http://www.osti.gov/bridge/product.biblio.jsp?osti_id=771125 [20 Dec. 2013] GESAMP (1993) Impact of oil and related chemicals and wastes on the marine environment. GESAMP reports & studies No. 50. London: International Maritime Organization. Humphries, M. (2010) U. S. Offshore Oil and Gas Resources: Prospects and Processes. New York, NY: DIANE Publishing. International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (2003) ‘Environmental Aspects of the Use and Disposal of Non-Aqueous Drilling Fluids Associated With Offshore Oil & Gas Operations, 342 (2), 2-85. Reis, J.C. (1996) Environmental Control in Petroleum Engineering. London: Gulf Professional Publishing. Wills, J. (2000) A Survey of Offshore Oilfield Drilling Wastes and Disposal Techniques to Reduce the Ecological Impact of Sea Dumping. M. Inst. Pet., for Ekologicheskaya Vahkta Sakhalina, Sakhalin Environment Watch: 2-18. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“HES Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/management/1498526-hes
(HES Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 Words)
https://studentshare.org/management/1498526-hes.
“HES Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/management/1498526-hes.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Environmental Performance in Offshore Oil and Gas

The Impact of Using oil Base Mud in Oil Drilling Rigs

In order to do this, a life cycle assessment will be done for oil and water based mud to understand the different types of drilling fluids, the characteristics of each type and the reasons for using it.... All of this information will be gathered for oil and water based mud so it can be compared.... Extensive research will also be conducted in order to examine important aspects of using oil based mud in oil rigs.... This dissertation will discuss the impact of using oil based mud in oil rigs for National Drilling Company in United Arab Emirates....
33 Pages (8250 words) Dissertation

Health, Safety, and Environment in the Petroleum Industry

n the petroleum industry maintaining a healthy and safe environment is regarded to be quite essential, not only because of intrinsic protection risks but also due to the absolute quarantine of hazardous materials activated in every oil and gas organization.... Thereby, the objective of the discussion will be to appraise different articles and literature from a generalized perspective illustrating the requirement of safety performances in the oil and gas sector....
10 Pages (2500 words) Research Paper

Corporate Social Responsibility - A code of ethics

The company is now of such a size that it is able to compete with the larger existing oil and gas service companies who have dominated the market over the past 15 years.... Initially the development of CSR and Ethics within the oil and gas industry will be discussed followed by a short business case for a CSR strategy.... Working within developing countries the oil and gas industry has the opportunity to be to be a positive force in generating the hard currency revenue that governments need to help reach national development goals....
14 Pages (3500 words) Essay

Occupational stress and its effects on overall performance within oil and gas industry

(Occupational stress, 2011) However level of occupational stress varies among Extraction of oil and gas reserves for the off shore oil and gas industries with success in performance and productivity is vitally important for the economies of countries that possess these particular industries.... (Chen, Yu & Wong, 2009) The financial benefits gained by the oil and gas industries are associated with huge costs resulting from stress that are generally mismanaged....
20 Pages (5000 words) Essay

Monitoring Offshore Oil and Gas Processes Using Ad-Hoc Wireless Network

in offshore oil and gas processes, the choice of a network is rationalized.... Ad-hoc wireless network is suitably suited for offshore oil and gas processes in regard to its ability to circumvent the remote and harsh environmental challenges, in an offshore processing environment.... d-hoc wireless network is specifically suited for industrial control and monitoring processes, which are characterized by a large scale deployment of a comparatively reduced data as such, its best suited for oil and gas industry for in the control and monitoring of the wide range of products and processes (Jensen et al....
4 Pages (1000 words) Research Paper

Glenbervie Energy Plc (GE) and Its Corporate Social Responsibility

The consequences could include loss of customers, reduced share price so, incorporation of perfect work ethics as part of GE's CSR and CR strategy, which has been norm of optimal global culture, will only ensure smooth functioning for the organization and importantly will elevate its image, thus enabling the company to grow from a smallcap into one of the top global oil and gas independents.... GE could cause a negative impact on the environment if there are oil spillages from offshore oil rigs and this will severely deteriorate both the financial as well as the ethical standing of GE....
14 Pages (3500 words) Case Study

Environmental Management Project: SALAMA Offshore Oil Drilling Company

"Environmental Management Project: SALAMA offshore oil Drilling Company" paper examines how to reduce environmental impacts and achieve environmental compliance.... The company will have to address its environmental performance through the establishment of environmental management systems and policies.... nvironmental accountingThis will put into account the magnitude of environmental costs which are often ignored and provide a link between accountants and environmental managers towards the improvement of the financial and environmental performance of this company....
9 Pages (2250 words) Case Study

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company

ADNOC 2011 news indicates that the Company, which is owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, has access to over 90% of the national oil and gas reserves.... According to Shihab, oil and gas production are the main economic activities in the UAE earning the nation huge income.... Initially, oil and gas exploration in the UAE was ran mainly by European Companies.... ADNOC Nature of BusinessAbu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is engaged in the exploration and production of oil, processing of oil and natural gas, processing and production of petrochemicals and maritime transportation and distribution of its refined products....
25 Pages (6250 words) Article
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us