OFFSHORE DISCHARGE OF DRILLING FLUIDS AND CUTTINGS -A SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVE ON PUBLIC POLICY

Abstract

The most effective regulations or public policies are developed cooperatively by government and industry based on sound scientific understanding of the potential impacts, risk considerations, and evaluation of the costs and benefits of alternative approaches. This paper reviews the scientific framework that helped achieve general regulatory acceptance of the discharge of water-based drilling fluids and cuttings and discusses information being considered in current efforts to develop policies for the discharge of cuttings drilled with non-aqueous fluids (NAF). Development of effective policies for discharges depends on consideration of the specific local environmental conditions that govern the fate of discharge materials, the scientific basis for assessing the potential for effects in that environment, and balanced consideration of the environmental effects and relative costs of discharge versus other disposal options. This approach can lead to policies that provide for environmental protection and encourage adoption of mitigation measures that provide benefits commensurate with their cost.