Description
This report provides a review of the main types of wastes that are generated during well construction and operation activities, both onshore and offshore:
- drill cuttings and associated fluids
- interfacial mixtures
The report focuses on technologies, methodologies and processes for managing this waste once it has been generated.
The report looks at waste types that are specific to drilling operations and those which present significant challenges due to the quantities produced or their potential environmental impact.
It does not include consideration of well design or fluid selection, although both of these are important in determining the quantity and type of drilling waste generated, and therefore should be considered as part of the overall waste management plan for a drilling operation.
Waste types which are not included within the scope of this report include:
- that waste for which there is already a large amount of information in the public domain about suitable technologies;
- the waste in question is not unique to drilling activities; and
- where they are not generated in large quantities