What do you do if you want to minimize environmental impact during drilling operations?

Drilling engineering is a complex and challenging field that requires creativity, innovation, and expertise to optimize the extraction of oil and gas from underground reservoirs. However, drilling operations also have potential environmental impacts, such as air emissions, water consumption, waste generation, and land disturbance. Therefore, drilling engineers need to implement strategies and practices that minimize these impacts and ensure compliance with environmental regulations and standards. In this article, we will discuss some of the ways that you can reduce the environmental footprint of your drilling operations and enhance your sustainability performance.

1 Plan your well design

One of the first steps to minimize environmental impact during drilling operations is to plan your well design carefully and consider the site-specific conditions, geology, and reservoir characteristics. By doing so, you can optimize the drilling parameters, such as bit selection, mud type, casing size, and directional drilling, to reduce the number of wells, drilling time, and drilling fluid consumption. Additionally, you can avoid or mitigate potential hazards, such as shallow gas, lost circulation, or wellbore instability, that can cause environmental incidents or damage.

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Damir Horvat

☐Oil & Gas ⌱ Technical Integrity Management ☐ Discipline Engineering ⌱ Wells ☐New Energies♻️SHR, CCS, H2 ☐Former General Manager Oil & Gas Upstream, Member of the Executive Team DEM-ERD ⌦ Government of South Australia☐
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I've found it helpful following: - Employ advanced drilling technologies and techniques such as directional drilling, managed pressure drilling, and closed-loop systems to minimize environmental disturbances and reduce waste. - Adhere to industry best practices and regulatory guidelines for environmental protection. This includes proper waste management, spill prevention measures, and erosion control. - Regularly monitor environmental indicators such as air quality, water quality, and wildlife habitats to detect any potential impacts early and take corrective actions promptly. - Choose drilling fluids and additives that are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. This helps reduce the risk of contaminating soil and water sources.

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2 Use green drilling technologies

Another way to minimize environmental impact during drilling operations is to use green drilling technologies that reduce energy consumption, emissions, noise, and waste. For example, you can use electric rigs instead of diesel-powered rigs to lower your fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. You can also use low-noise equipment, such as silencers, mufflers, or sound barriers, to reduce the noise pollution and disturbance to the surrounding wildlife and communities. Moreover, you can use biodegradable or recyclable drilling fluids and cuttings to reduce the amount of hazardous waste and disposal costs.

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3 Implement best management practices

A third way to minimize environmental impact during drilling operations is to implement best management practices (BMPs) that follow the principles of pollution prevention, waste minimization, and resource conservation. For instance, you can use closed-loop systems or zero-discharge systems to capture and reuse the drilling fluids and cuttings, reducing the water consumption and waste generation. You can also use spill prevention and control plans to prevent or contain any accidental spills or leaks of drilling fluids or chemicals. Furthermore, you can use erosion and sediment control measures to protect the soil and water quality and restore the land after drilling.

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Hernán Oberlander

Drilling and Well Integrity Advisor
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Implement close circuit to manage cutting while using OBM, mantain the solid control equipment working properly to maintain the cutting disposal as dry as possible. Assess the to utilize WBM in non conventional drilling operations. Assess a proper flow back disposal after fracking

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4 Monitor and evaluate your performance

A fourth way to minimize environmental impact during drilling operations is to monitor and evaluate your performance regularly and identify any areas for improvement or corrective action. For example, you can use environmental indicators, such as energy intensity, emission intensity, water intensity, or waste intensity, to measure and track your environmental performance and compare it with your targets or benchmarks. You can also use environmental audits or inspections to verify your compliance with environmental regulations and standards and address any non-conformities or violations. Additionally, you can use feedback or suggestions from your stakeholders, such as regulators, customers, or communities, to improve your environmental practices and reputation.

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5 Seek continuous improvement

A fifth way to minimize environmental impact during drilling operations is to seek continuous improvement and innovation in your drilling engineering processes and technologies. For example, you can use research and development (R&D) or pilot projects to test and adopt new or emerging technologies that can enhance your drilling efficiency, safety, and environmental performance. You can also use training or education programs to update your skills and knowledge and learn from the best practices or lessons learned of other drilling engineers or organizations. Moreover, you can use certification or recognition programs to demonstrate your commitment and achievement in environmental excellence and leadership.

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6 Engage with your stakeholders

A sixth way to minimize environmental impact during drilling operations is to engage with your stakeholders and communicate your environmental goals, actions, and results. For example, you can use consultation or participation methods to involve your stakeholders, such as regulators, customers, or communities, in your drilling planning, decision-making, or monitoring processes and address their concerns or expectations. You can also use reporting or disclosure methods to inform your stakeholders about your environmental performance and impacts and show your transparency and accountability. Furthermore, you can use collaboration or partnership methods to work with your stakeholders, such as suppliers, contractors, or NGOs, to share your resources, expertise, or best practices and achieve your environmental objectives together.

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Mohan Raj Arjunan

Petroleum Engineer | Field Professional II-PPCD | Upstream Oil & Gas Operations | Well Control Certified | ADNOC Drilling-Integrated Drilling Services | Oil Field Services
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Exploring and drilling for oil & gas may disturb land and marine ecosystems. • Oil Spill-Industry has seen increased scrutiny and regulatory measures to enforce strict safety standards. • Disruption of Marine Ecosystem-Use of advanced technologies that minimize disturbance to marine ecosystem. • Air & Water Pollution-Industry is looking into cleaner energy options, like electrifying rig operations and increasing the use of renewable energy sources. To reduce water pollution, we can also invest in technologies for treatment and safe disposal of drilling byproducts. • Climate change impact-The climate of oil rigs can shift toward renewable energy, increased energy efficiency, and the development of carbon capture and storage technologies.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if you want to minimize environmental impact during drilling operations?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Plan your well design

2 Use green drilling technologies

3 Implement best management practices

4 Monitor and evaluate your performance

5 Seek continuous improvement

6 Engage with your stakeholders

7 Here’s what else to consider

Drilling Engineering

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What do you do if you want to minimize environmental impact during drilling operations?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Plan your well design

2 Use green drilling technologies

3 Implement best management practices

4 Monitor and evaluate your performance

5 Seek continuous improvement

6 Engage with your stakeholders

7 Here’s what else to consider

Drilling Engineering

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