Abstract
The paper presents Statoil experiences and status for drilling waste management and treatment in offshore operations, as well as the main challenges and a look ahead on technologies and possible applications.
After 40 years of drilling on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, NCS, operators are now experiencing more challenging operations than ever. The wells are more complicated with long sections with high inclinations, years of production have depleted reservoir pressures making the hole stability limits tighter. High Pressure High Temperature, HTHP, fields are developed and the number of Extended Reach Wells, ERD, wells are increasing. Fields are also developed under more harsh environments such as deep waters and arctic climate, some in remote locations making logistics a challenge.
Drilling wastes are unavoidable and often expensive by-products of all drilling operations. As drilling operations becomes more demanding and moves into environmentally sensitive areas attention should be paid to drilling waste management and handling when planning.
This paper outlines current available waste management options as well as providing some suggestions for possible improvements based on future operational challenges and the corresponding environmental regulations.
