Environment Report 2015

ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2015

There has been a net decrease of 35,700 tonnes in the mass of drilling chemicals discharged since 2008, coinciding with a drop in drilling activity. When compared to the approximately 26 per cent fall in drilling chemicals discharged from 2013 to 2014, the increase in 2013 due to drilling of multiple wells was unusual 20 .

Of the ten largest drilling chemical discharges last year, eight were from new wells.

Figure 5: Production, Drilling and Pipeline Chemicals Discharged

Drilling Chemicals

Production Chemicals

Pipeline Chemicals

 Production

0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000 140,000 160,000 180,000

1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 2,000

0 200 400 600 800

Production (Million boe)

Chemicals Discharge (Tonnes)

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Source: EEMS June 2015

20 In 2013, the mass of drilling chemicals discharged increased by 35 per cent from 2012. Analysis of the top ten largest drilling discharges shows that they are associated with multiple, rather than single, wells at the same site (a main well plus at least two sidetracks), increasing the overall length of wells drilled and hence the amount of chemicals used offshore.

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