Reducing Risk of Oilfield Chemicals to Marine Environments – Development Practices, Achievements and Benefits

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents the results of aggressive chemical development and replacement programs for stimulation chemicals for worldwide application. Developing more environmentally acceptable products requires working with regulatory agencies, clients and chemical suppliers to achieve compliance with relevant international statutes, such as environmental, occupational, transportation, and trade control for Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), labels and environmental testing protocol. Technical achievements are only realized by continued commitment and product improvements to meet or exceed Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) goals. One oilfield service company's approach to the global issue of chemical management, based mainly on North Sea experience in wellbore stimulation, is described. The guidelines and process for product development or replacement are outlined and presented. The program ensured that Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) issues were kept at the forefront in the product lifecycle development and management process. This paper recognizes that international environmental statutes and guidelines are the strongest driving force to restrict industrial use and discharge of environmentally harmful chemicals. The development of more environmentally acceptable products requires a thorough screening of environmental fitness and status of compliance with relevant laws and regulations. The environmental improvement initiative addresses human health as well. Results of the program verify that environmentally improved products can be efficient, as well as cost effective. This paper presents 3 years of field results achieved using environmentally improved stimulation products in the North Sea area. Oilfield chemicals used in the study were replacement products designed through an aggressive program to address environmental opportunities and issues in product development and application. Case histories from the Heidrun field in northern Norwegian sector, 75 mi from the Arctic Circle, and stimulation operations in the Valhall field in southern Norway are presented.