Health, Safety and Environment Report 2020

Environment

Other Discharges – NORM and Drill Cuttings

Figure 20: Discharged Fluids from Drill Cuttings

70,000

250

Oil-Based Fluids from Cuttings Water-Based Fluids from Cuttings Well Count

70,000

250

Oil-Based Fluids from Cuttings Water-Based Fluids from Cuttings Well Count

60,000

60,000

200

200

Discharged fluids increased, as did activity. This is reflected in the number of wells spudded, up to 158 from 101 in 2018

50,000

50,000

150

40,000

150

40,000

There was a 140 per cent increase in discharged cuttings in 2019, to 52,147 tonnes, up from 21,451 tonnes in 2018. Compared to 2017, there was a ten per cent increase, from 47,195 tonnes discharged, suggesting 2018 was out of step with longer-term trends

30,000

100

30,000

100

Total Wells Drilled on the UKCS

20,000 Cuttings Discharged to Sea (Tonnes) Cuttings Discharged to Sea (Tonnes) 20,000

Total Wells Drilled on the UKCS

50

50

10,000

10,000

0

0

0

0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Source: EEMS, May 2020, OGUK

Source: EEMS, May 2020, OGUK

HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2020

27

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