Description
Gain an insight into the environmental impacts of non aqueous drilling fluid discharges.
New technical challenges in offshore drilling have led to the requirement for fluids with properties that exceed those of water-based drilling fluids. Sophisticated non-aqueous drilling fluids provide the high performance, lubricity and stability that are necessary to meet the challenges of, for example, directional and extended-reach drilling. This report summarises the technical knowledge about discharges of drill cuttings when such fluids are used, drawing on over 75 publications containing information on inherent biological properties of the fluids, as well as the consequences arising from their release to the environment. It is intended to provide insight into the environmental impacts of such discharges and, with a comprehensive synopsis of the current state of knowledge in a range of environments, it should assist in the environmental assessment processes for new projects, not least in areas where regulations are at an early stage of development.