Pollution Prevention and Waste Minimization Opportunities for Exploration and Production Operations

Abstract

Abstract In a continuing effort to encourage improvements in the management of exploration and production (E&P) wastes, the Office of Solid Waste (OSW) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is identifying practices and technologies that may contribute to pollution prevention and waste minimization when applied to E&P operations. The sources of this information include trade literature, product literature, and patents. Once identified, details of these practices and technologies may be compiled in a database where the information may be easily accessed and ultimately used in the development of outreach materials for industry. Several notable practices and technologies identified to date are discussed in this paper along with results of field trials where available. Although many have already been described in the literature, the intent of the authors is to present a brief overview of selected pollution prevention and waste minimization concepts in order to stimulate further investigation and discussion.