Cuttings Treatment Technology Evaluation
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Environmental Studies Research Funds 166 Cuttings Treatment Technology Evaluation July 2009 Correct citation for this report is: Jacques Whitford Stantec Limited, July 2009 Cuttings Treatment Technology Evaluation Environmental Studies Research Funds Report No. 166. St. John’s, NL. 100 p The Environmental Studies Research Funds are financed from special levies on the oil and gas industry and administered by the National Energy Board for the Minister of Natural Resources Canada and the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. The Environmental Studies Research Funds and any person acting on their behalf assume no liability arising from the use of the information contained in this document. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Environmental Studies Research Funds agencies. The use of trade names or identification of specific products does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation for use. Printed under the auspices of the Environmental Studies Research Funds Cat. No. NE22-4/166E (Print) ISBN 0-921652-85-2 Cat. No. NE22-4/166E-PDF (On-line) ISBN 978-1-926750-05-7 To view a colour version of this publication, visit us online at esfunds.org/pubpub_e.php © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2009 Recycled paper Environmental Studies Research Funds Report No. 166 July 2009 Cuttings Treatment Technology Evaluation by Jacques Whitford Stantec Limited 3 Spectacle Lake Drive Dartmouth, NS B3B 1W8 Tel: 902-468-7777 Fax: 902-468-9009 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................................. 1 RESUMÉ ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................. 9 1.1 GENERAL ................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 1.1.1 Technical Advisory Group ......................................................................................................................................... 9 1.1.2 Supporting Contributors ..........................................................................................................................................10 1.2 OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE ...............................................................................................................................................10 1.3 STUDY APPROACH AND METHODS........................................................................................................................11 2.0 DRILLING MUDS CHARACTERIZATION ...............................................................................................................12 2.1 PHYSICAL ..............................................................................................................................................................................13 2.2 CHEMICAL ............................................................................................................................................................................13 2.3 CONTAMINANTS ..............................................................................................................................................................14 3.0 REGULATORY STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES .................................................................................................14 3.1 CURRENT NATIONAL REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES ...........................................................................14 3.2 OTHER REGIONS AND JURISDICTIONS ................................................................................................................15 3.2.1 United States .............................................................................................................................................................15 3.2.1.1 Gulf of Mexico ..............................................................................................................................................16 3.2.2 Rationale for Gulf of Mexico Limitations ..............................................................................................................19 3.2.3 Norway .....................................................................................................................................................................21 3.2.4 North Sea ...................................................................................................................................................................22 3.2.5 Australia .....................................................................................................................................................................23 3.2.6 Brazil .....................................................................................................................................................................24 3.3 MEASURING SBM AND CUTTINGS COMPLIANCE...........................................................................................24 3.4 FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ..................................................26 4.0 DRILL CUTTINGS TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY ...............................................................................................27 4.1 TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................27 4.2 DRILLING PLATFORM SOLIDS-CONTROL SYSTEMS ......................................................................................30 4.2.1 Primary Treatment Systems ....................................................................................................................................30 4.2.1.1 Shakers .......................................................................................................................................................31 4.2.1.2 Hydrocyclones ...........................................................................................................................................32 4.2.1.3 Centrifuges.................................................................................................................................................33 4.2.2 Secondary Treatment Systems ................................................................................................................................34 4.2.2.1 Cuttings Dryers .........................................................................................................................................35 4.2.2.2 Thermal Desorption Methods ................................................................................................................36 4.3 OTHER TECHNOLOGIES ...............................................................................................................................................38 4.4 ALTERNATIVE CUTTINGS MANAGEMENT OPTIONS ...................................................................................40 4.4.1 Cuttings Re-Injection ...............................................................................................................................................40 4.4.2 Ship-to-Shore Cuttings Disposal ............................................................................................................................41 5.0 TECHNOLOGY PERFORMANCE.................................................................................................................................43 5.1 DRILL CUTTINGS DISCHARGE QUALITY .............................................................................................................43 5.1.1 Summary of Recent Studies.....................................................................................................................................43 5.1.2 Data Assessment of Recent East Coast Operator Equipment Performance .....................................................44 6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS MONITORING .......................................................................................................49 6.1 REVIEW OF RECENT PUBLICATIONS......................................................................................................................49 Final Report: Cutting Treatment Technology Evaluation i 6.2 GENERAL CONCLUSIONS OF RECENT EEM STUDY REVIEWS ..................................................................50 7.0 CONCLUSIONS ...................................................................................................................................................................54 8.0 CLOSURE ...............................................................................................................................................................................57 9.0 REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................................................................57 LIST OF APPENDICES APPENDIX A International Requirements for Discharge of Drilling Mud & Cuttings........................................................64 APPENDIX B Summary of Recent Mud and Cuttings Offshore