Environmental Protection In Offshore Drilling Operations Utilizing Synthetic Fluids Available to Purchase

Drilling in harsh, deepwater environments successfully, safely, and economically, generally requires drilling fluids which significantly reduce drilling days and eliminates gas hydrates. While synthetic drilling fluids accomplish this task, recent environmental pressure is causing operators to minimize synthetic on cuttings discharge to the sea. In the U.S., the EPA is setting the limit at 6.9% by weight for IO synthetics or better and 7.5% for Esters or better. This paper addresses methods for Synthetic reduction on cuttings processes, Bulk shipment of cuttings and Cuttings reinjection. In the UK, the allowable level has been voluntarily been reduced by operators, by 20% per year to 0 for 2001. In other parts of the world, levels of 5% and 10% maximum have been reported for the year 2001. Because of the significant importance of these fluids to the drilling process, how to utilize these fluids and maintain environmental compliance is of primary importance around the world, today and into the future.