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CWA - Technological Advancements
Drilling fluids (“mud”) help remove drill cuttings from the annulus and
counter balance the formation pressure in the well. Since about 1990, the oil and
gas extraction industry has developed many new synthetic base materials from which to
formulate high performance drilling fluids. Industry has now developed a
synthetic-based drilling fluid (SBF) that has the drilling performance characteristics of
traditional mineral oil and diesel oil-based fluids (OBFs). According to the EPA,
SBFs have lower environmental impacts and greater worker safety than OBFs because of their
lower toxicity, lack of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), faster biodegradability,
lower bioaccumulation potential, and, in some drilling situations, less drilling waste
volume. Synthetic-based fluids are more expensive than OBFs but may be
cost-effective if the cuttings can be discharged offshore. The extent to which
EPA’s current regulatory controls apply to SBFs is questionable. The EPA is
currently involved in a presumptive rulemaking process to develop effluent limitation
guidelines and new source performance standards for SBFs. In Region 6, SBF
contaminated cuttings have been discharged since 1991 with EPA monitoring; the EPA has
used the data collected from Region 6 to help develop the effluent limitation guidelines.
Synthetic-based drilling fluid could replace the use of OBFs for drilling difficult
and complex formation intervals in the future.
For more information, contact Mary
Boatman.
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