Comparative Study of the Environmental Impacts of Using Oil or Water Base Mud

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to take this chance for thanking my research facilitator, friends & family for support they provided & their belief in me as well as guidance they provided without which I would have never been able to do this research.

DECLARATION

I, (Your name), would like to declare that all contents included in this thesis/dissertation stand for my individual work without any aid, & this thesis/dissertation has not been submitted for any examination at academic as well as professional level previously. It is also representing my very own views & not essentially which are associated with university.

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ABSTRACT

In this study we try to explore the concept of “environmental impact of using oil or water base mud” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “environmental impact” and its relation with “oil or water base mud in drilling process”. The research also analyzes many aspects of “oil base mud” and tries to gauge its effect on “environment”.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

ACRONYMS1

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION2

Introduction2

Problem Statement3

Research Aims and Objectives3

Significance of the Study4

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW5

Theoretical Framework5

Drilling Mud7

Applications of OBMs9

Shale Stability9

Penetration Rate9

High Temperatures9

Drilling Salts10

Lubricity10

Low Pore Pressure Formations10

Corrosion Control10

Re-Use10

Packer Fluids10

OBMs Basic Chemistry11

Chemicals Entering in the Composition of OBMs11

Main Chemical to Prepare Obms12

Fluid Loss Reduction Additives12

Synthetic - Based Fluids for Oil Muds Replacement13

Advantages of Oil base Mud (OBM)14

Disadvantages of Oil Based Mud15

Oil and a System16

Oil Well Drilling in Five Steps17

Purpose of Drilling Rigs18

Drilling Equipment18

Prime Movers18

Hoisting Equipment18

Rotating Equipment19

Circulating System19

Advanced Drilling Technologies19

Disposal of Drilling Waste20

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY24

Research Design24

Literature Selection Criteria24

Keywords used25

Theoretical Framework25

Time Scale26

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS27

National Drilling Company27

Environmental Life Cycle and Implications28

Worldwide Application29

Offshore cuttings re-injection29

Technique and Equipment29

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)31

The Methodology of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)32

Environmental Management33

Waste Management Plan33

Disposal Options34

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION35

ACRONYMS

PAH Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon

LCALife Cycle Assessment

NDC National Drilling Company

WBMWater-Based Mud

EPP Plan for Environmental Protection

SS Synthetic Sludge

OBMOil-Based Mud

BHT Bottom Hole Temperature

TIOTolerated for Internal Olefins

WMPWaste Management Plan

NADFNon-Aqueous Drilling Fluids

WBFWater based Fluid

NABFNon-Aqueous Base Fluid

NORMNaturally Occurring Radioactive Materials

BBHMAbased mud mineral oil improved

Chapter 1: Introduction

Introduction

The only way to confirm the presence of hydrocarbons in an identified promising geological structure is to drill exploratory boreholes or wells. The location of the drill site is dependent upon the characteristics of the underlying geological formations. In an off-shore site, a drilling barge, semi-submersible drilling rig or a drilling ship is used to provide all the functions associated with the drilling activity. The liquid and solid waste associated with the petroleum hydrocarbon operations include wastes derived from drilling activities, those derived from maintenances of machines and equipment and the wastes derived from life on platform (Charles 1984 3). The exploratory wastes generated during the drilling activities include well cuttings, drilling muds, formation water, cement slurry residue, oil cushions etc. USEPA (1993) observed that cuttings volume depends on the type of fluid used, the depth of the well, and the size of the borehole, and the estimated volume per well range from 130 to 560 m3 per ...