An assessment of the effectiveness of drilling waste treatment process in X-gas field, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

These processes often attenuate the hazardous effects of these wastes, which may otherwise obviously manifest on the vegetation, soil, and water resources of an area. This research aims to determine the degree of environmental friendliness of drilling wastes generated from X-Gas Field, using results of physiochemical analysis in comparison with regulatory limits set by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR)/Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv). A total of 38 water samples were collected from the drilling, cuttings, mud, and waste pit. The results reveal the concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, total suspended solids (TSS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Pb, and Fe3+ above standard desirable limits stipulated by DPR and/or FMEnv. The high values of TDS, salinity, TSS, BOD, COD, Fe3+, and Pb indicate pollution from drilling wastes such as waste lubricant, spent bulk chemicals, contaminated water, and oil-based mud. Results of physicochemical analysis carried out on samples from drilling point, waste pit, and ash after thermal desorption process show that these elements are made less harmful and hence fit for disposal, reuse, or recycle. The statistical correlation and distribution of the ions show that EC, TSS and Cr3+, turbidity, total hydrocarbon content, BOD, COD, Zn2+, Cu2+, and Hg2+ have positive correlation indicating that the ions are derived from the same source.

Keywords

• X-gas field
• pollution
• drilling waste
• heavy metals
• spent bulk chemical