Abstract
Drilling wastes are about 75% of the solid wastes generated by Amoco Production Company operations. This paper discusses the current status of controlling wastes generated during drilling, applying new technology and tracking the wastes with an Amoco developed Environmental Data Management System (EDMS). Case studies include field data, designs, economics and optimization. Advances in waste control technologies are currently being made: to treat low toxicity, high volume cuttings to be usable soil; to minimize mud and cuttings wastes with effective solids control equipment; to use down hole injection to eliminate cuttings and mud discharged to the sea; and to use synthetic muds for reducing environmental effects (i.e., toxicity). The EDMS database being used to monitor drilling wastes has benefits such as tracking and quantifying wastes to final disposal, helping to focus on the technological needs for the impacted environment, and helping to identify cost benefits of various drill waste controls. But, measurement (estimation) of drill waste characteristics and quantities can be seriously in error. Industry focus on common terms and techniques is needed.
