How can drilling operations manage and dispose of waste safely?

1 Waste reduction

One of the most effective ways to manage waste is to prevent or minimize its generation in the first place. This can be achieved by optimizing the drilling design, selecting the appropriate drilling fluid system, using low-waste technologies, and implementing waste minimization programs. For example, some of the low-waste technologies that can reduce the volume and toxicity of waste include slim-hole drilling, underbalanced drilling, dual-gradient drilling, and closed-loop systems.

2 Waste recycling

Another way to manage waste is to reuse or recycle it for beneficial purposes. This can help reduce the need for disposal and save costs and resources. Some of the common recycling options for drilling waste include using drill cuttings as road base or construction material, using drilling fluids as drilling or completion fluids for other wells, using produced water for irrigation or enhanced oil recovery, and using waste gas for power generation or flaring.

3 Waste treatment

Before disposing of waste, it may be necessary to treat it to reduce its potential impact on the environment and human health. This can involve physical, chemical, biological, or thermal processes that remove or degrade contaminants, reduce volume, or stabilize the waste. For example, some of the treatment methods that can be applied to drilling waste include solidification, stabilization, bioremediation, thermal desorption, incineration, and evaporation.

4 Waste disposal

The final step in managing waste is to dispose of it in a safe and compliant manner. This can involve injecting it into underground formations, burying it in landfills, spreading it on land, or discharging it into water bodies. The choice of disposal method depends on the type, quantity, and quality of the waste, as well as the regulatory requirements, environmental conditions, and stakeholder preferences. For example, some of the disposal methods that can be used for drilling waste include on-site pits, off-site commercial facilities, underground injection wells, land application, and offshore discharge.

5 Waste monitoring

To ensure that the waste management and disposal practices are effective and safe, it is important to monitor the waste generation, handling, transportation, treatment, and disposal activities. This can involve collecting and analyzing samples, measuring and recording parameters, conducting audits and inspections, and reporting and documenting results. The monitoring data can help evaluate the performance, compliance, and impact of the waste management and disposal practices, as well as identify areas for improvement and corrective actions.

6 Waste management plan

To manage and dispose of waste safely, drilling operations should develop and implement a comprehensive waste management plan that covers all aspects of the waste lifecycle. The waste management plan should define the objectives, responsibilities, procedures, and standards for waste reduction, recycling, treatment, and disposal. It should also include a waste characterization and classification system, a waste tracking and inventory system, a waste management hierarchy and decision matrix, and a waste monitoring and reporting system. The waste management plan should be based on the best available technologies, the best environmental practices, and the relevant regulations and guidelines.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?