World First Integrated Zero Waste Discharge Solution in Restricted & Highly Environmentally Sensitive Areas

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the challenges, solutions and results of performing offshore Drilling Waste Management operations in a highly environmentally sensitive marine environment and UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in offshore Abu Dhabi. The solution was to treat all drilling waste at source. This required both NOV Thermal Treatment Technology and NOV Cuttings Re-Injection Technology and became the World's first single-source operation for this equipment. The equipment was shipped to the island, installed and operated in parallel with the Operator's drilling programme. The drilling waste (Oil-Based Mud) was handled and stored by EMDAD then processed through the NOV Thermal treatment unit, which generated three separate treated waste streams - oil, water and solids. The recovered oil and water were reused on-site, whilst the treated solids were slurrified and fed to the NOV Cuttings Re-Injection system (CRI), which injected the solids into a disposal well. This paper will also demonstrate the results of the integrated operation.