Abstract
ABSTRACTThese processes often attenuate the hazardous effects of these wastes, which may otherwise obviously manifest on the vegetation, soil, and water resources of an area. This research aims to determine the degree of environmental friendliness of drilling wastes generated from X-Gas Field, using results of physiochemical analysis in comparison with regulatory limits set by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR)/Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv). A total of 38 water samples were collected from the drilling, cuttings, mud, and waste pit. The results reveal the concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, total suspended solids (TSS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Pb, and Fe3+ above standard desirable limits stipulated by DPR and/or FMEnv. The high values of TDS, salinity, TSS, BOD, COD, Fe3+, and Pb indicate pollution from drilling wastes such as waste lubricant, spent bulk chemicals, contaminated water, and oil-based mud. Results of physicochemical analysis carried out on samples from drilling point, waste pit, and ash after thermal desorption process show that these elements are made less harmful and hence fit for disposal, reuse, or recycle. The statistical correlation and distribution of the ions show that EC, TSS and Cr3+, turbidity, total hydrocarbon content, BOD, COD, Zn2+, Cu2+, and Hg2+ have positive correlation indicating that the ions are derived from the same source.
Highlights
Waste materials generated from various activities related to oil and gas exploration, production, storage, and transportation were regarded as useless, unwanted, and unusable and were usually discarded
The results reveal the concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, total suspended solids (TSS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Pb, and Fe3+
The statistical correlation and distribution of the ions show that electrical conductivity (EC), TSS and Cr3+, turbidity, total hydrocarbon content, BOD, COD, Zn2+, Cu2+, and Hg2+ have positive correlation indicating that the ions are derived from the same source
Summary
Waste materials generated from various activities related to oil and gas exploration, production, storage, and transportation were regarded as useless, unwanted, and unusable and were usually discarded. Materials previously regarded as useless and unwanted are treated and reprocessed into various valuable or safer products. Drilling wastes are wastes generated during drilling of oil, gas, or water; and they are classified as used drilling fluids and drill cuttings (DCs). Drilling fluids (muds) lubricate and cool the bits, aid in lifting the drilling cuttings to the surface, control the formation pressures, and allow good drilling performance (Cordah, 1998; Davies & Kingston, 1992). The fluid phase of drilling mud can be water or mixture of natural oils, air, and gas (Onwukwe & Nwakaudu, 2012)
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