HES Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

HES - Coursework Example Drilling fluids are used in offshore oil and gas exploration for a number of reasons, including lubricating the drill bit, cleaning and conditioning the hole, maintaining the pressure of the borehole, as well as washing out rock cuttings out of the borehole to the surface. The drilling fluids is not normally used in its original state, instead, the fluids are mixed with some chemicals in order to maintain their properties. However, there has been an increased concern of the impacts of the drilling fluids and solid cuttings on the environment. GESAMP (1993:18) reported that these solid cuttings and drilling fluids contain hazardous chemical mixture that pose a danger to the environment, particularly to the marine life. As such, there is increased need for solid and gas drilling companies to ensure proper disposal of solid cuttings and drilling fluids as a means of conserving the environment. The main environmental issue linked to the drilling fluids concerns its negative impact on the performance and the continuous accumulation of solid cuttings (AUMS 1989:1). The aim of this paper is to examine some of the environmental issues related to drilling fluid management in light of the various types of drilling fluids. The paper will also explore the negative environmental impacts of improper disposal of drilling waste. Finally, the paper will conclude by discussing measures that oil companies need to take to mitigate the environmental impacts of the drilling fluids. The exploration of offshore oil and gas has intensified in the recent past. This is attributable to the increased need for energy independent. Even though the use of fossil fuel energy has been blamed for the increased production of greenhouse gases that cause global warming, its exploration is not about to end anytime soon. The world will still experience increased exploration of oil and gas (Reis 1996:6). However, the rate at which offshore exploration has increased in the recent past has caused many co ncerns, especially to environmentalists (Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association Ltd 1998:51). This is attributable to the magnitude of pollutants generated by the drilling activities. Normally, when exploring offshore oil and gas, engineers normally use the drilling fluid (mud) to lubricate the drill bit, wash out the solid cuttings, condition the hole, as well as to maintain the pressure of the borehole. This is very important for effective exploration of offshore oil and gas, according to Armsworthy, ? Cranford, ?and Lee (2005:8). The drilling fluids used in the exploration of offshore oil and gas are normally not pure. They often contain additives and chemicals meant to enhance the operational property of the final mixture (Cordah Environmental Management Consultants 2000:5). The operational properties enhance using chemicals and additives include density, reactivity, viscosity, ion-exchange parameters, salinity, and fluid loss. Obtaining the right property of the fluid is important for ensuring effective drilling operation. The main types of drilling fluids in use include water-based fluids and non-aqueous fluids. Water-based fluid is a drilling fluid which comprising of a mixture of water,