Ecotoxicology of Oilfield Chemicals: The Relevance of Evaluating Low-dose and Long-term Impact on Fish and Invertebrates in Marine Recipients

Abstract

Ecotoxicology of Oilfield Chemicals: The Relevance of Evaluating Low-dose and Long-term Impact on Fish and Invertebrates in Marine Recipients Jonny Beyer; Jonny Beyer RF - Rogaland Research Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Arnfinn Skadsheim; Arnfinn Skadsheim RF - Rogaland Research Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Malcolm A. Kelland; Malcolm A. Kelland RF - Rogaland Research Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Kjetil Alfsnes; Kjetil Alfsnes RF - Rogaland Research Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Sanni Steinar Sanni Steinar Akvamiljø a/s, Stavanger, Norway Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paper presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry, Houston, Texas, February 2001. Paper Number: SPE-65039-MS https://doi.org/10.2118/65039-MS Published: February 13 2001 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Get Permissions Search Site Citation Beyer, Jonny, Skadsheim, Arnfinn, Kelland, Malcolm A., Alfsnes, Kjetil, and Sanni Steinar. "Ecotoxicology of Oilfield Chemicals: The Relevance of Evaluating Low-dose and Long-term Impact on Fish and Invertebrates in Marine Recipients." Paper presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry, Houston, Texas, February 2001. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/65039-MS Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Search nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentAll ProceedingsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)SPE International Conference on Oilfield Chemistry Search Advanced Search AbstractShould future regulation of the use and release of E&P chemicals offshore focus more on tests of chronic effects at low levels of contamination, in line with recent ecotoxicological discoveries? Within this context, what groups of E&P chemicals are relevant, and what kind of effects and test methods should be incorporated in revised regulations? Can this altered but more relevant environmental focus potentially be beneficial for both the environment and the oil E&P sector? This presentation will discuss and answer these issues.IntroductionThere is an increasing concern about long-term impacts on marine organisms by chronic operational discharges from petroleum exploration and production (E&P) activities offshore. Apparently, there is a general shortage of knowledge about potential long-term effects of E&P chemicals released during these operations [1]. It may be questioned whether the sets of methods presently used for environmental evaluation of current discharge procedures and for toxicity ranking of E&P chemical products are sufficiently relevant, or whether more relevant test protocols and new effect evaluation approaches are needed.Over the past decade, new links between environmental pollutant exposures and the occurrence of putative adverse effects in aquatic organisms have been discovered. Several commonly used chemicals are now regulated more strictly or are even part of a phase-out process due to such new knowledge; one example is the nonylphenol derivatives. A range of new biological monitoring tools has also been developed enabling us to detect effects in laboratory exposed organisms at more environmentally realistic contaminant concentrations, and also to perform more relevant ecotox effect studies in field recipients.Projects initiated by petroleum companies have been launched in order to develop screening protocols for determining the potential environmental impact of E&P related contaminants on the marine ecosystem, e.g. [2]. However, the main volume of this work has been directed towards the use of standardized toxicity screening tests and bioassays, rather than supporting effect studies in which more relevant marine species are being exposed under conditions which are more realistic to a recipient situation (combined exposure, low-dose/long-term treatment, etc.). Ecologically relevant impact phenomena may rather occur in waters where contaminants are highly diluted (chronic low dose), and less in the ultimate mixing zone of the effluent stream (figure 1).The three main objectives of this paper are (1) to provide a brief insight in how ecotoxicity of chemicals and effluents from E&P operations are considered at present. (2) To briefly review the recent progress within the field of (marine) ecotoxicology. (3) To discuss the relevance and benefit of including updated effect measurement techniques for evaluating impact of E&P chemicals and effluents being released to the marine environment. Keywords: regulation, effect study, protocol, concentration, toxicity, chemical spill, protein, invertebrate, organism, operation Subjects: Drilling Fluids and Materials, Health, Environment, Drilling fluid selection and formulation (chemistry, properties), Noise, chemicals, and other workplace hazards, Oil and chemical spills This content is only available via PDF. 2001. Society of Petroleum Engineers You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.