Economic Analysis Final Effluent Limitations Guidelines Standards for Synthetic-Based Drilling Fluids and Other Non-Aqueous Drilling Fluids in the Oil and Gas Extraction Point Source Category

摘要

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is regulating the discharge ofsynthetic-based drilling fluids (SBFs), other non-aqueous drilling fluids, and the resultant contaminated drill cuttings from drilling operations. This Economic Analysis (EA) report is written to address the economic impacts of this Final Effluent Limitation Guidelines for Synthetic-Based and Other Non-Aqueous Drilling Fluids. Currently, effluent guidelines pertaining to the discharge of drilling fluids addresses two specific types of fluids: Oil-based drilling (OBFs) that use diesel and mineral oil, which are prohibited from being discharged; Water-based drilling fluids (WBFs) which can be discharged in certain limited offshore regions subject to meeting certain discharge requirements, including a sheen test and an aqueous toxicity test. In many cases, SBFs and SBF-contaminated cuttings are not clearly prohibited from discharge, nor are they clearly allowed to be discharged, since the relevant effluent guidelines that define allowable conditions for discharge of drilling fluids and cuttings were developed before SBFs and other non-aqueous drilling fluids were widely available.