Use of Probiological Remediation Technology to Remediate Crude Oil Tank Bottom Materials: ABSTRACT

Abstract

ABSTRACT Historically, the disposal of crude oil tank bottom materials has consisted of off-site transport to an incineration facility, a state approved landfill, or an off-site treatment facility. With increased treatment costs, regulatory limitations on landfill use, and increased environmental liability, producers have had to develop new strategies in order to dispose of their crude oil tank bottom wastes. One form of remediation which is proving highly effective in remediating production wastes is Probiological Remediation Technology' (PRT). PRT enables producers to treat their basic sediment wastes on-site using a highly specialized form of biological remediation. With treatment being accomplished on-site, high costs associated with storage, transportation, off-site treatment, and environmental liability are drastically reduced. Since 1987, PRT has been utilized in numerous remediation applications. In one instance, PRT methods were applied to remediate 3,200 cubic yards of tank bottom wastes which had accumulated on a south Texas oil and gas lease. Initially, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) levels were in excess of 75,000 parts per million (PPM) or 7.5%. However, within six weeks, TPH levels were reduced to below acceptable state commission regulatory standards of 10,000 ppm ( PRT is highly effective in reducing contaminants commonly associated with oil and gas field operations. The science of PRT is complex, but application is simple and can be accomplished on-site, thereby reducing costs identified with off-site treatment, transportation, and/or disposal.. End_of_Record - Last_Page 637-------