EFFECTS ON THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT OF PRODUCED FORMATION WATER DISCHARGES FROM OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENT IN BASS STRAIT, AUSTRALIA

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 729 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.W. Terrens ◽  
R.D. Tait
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Marine Organisms ◽  
Formation Water ◽  
Discharge Point ◽  
Water Field ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Offshore Oil And Gas ◽  
Offshore Development ◽  
Offshore Oil

An environmental effects study was undertaken to assess the potential environmental effect of discharged produced formation water from offshore oil and gas platforms in Bass Strait. The focus was on potential effects on the fisheries of Bass Strait. Produced formation water discharged to the ocean from the Halibut platform, one of the largest Australian oil fields and now the most prolific produced formation water field, was modelled for dilution versus distance from the platform. Characterisation of produced formation water from 10 Bass Strait platforms for chemical constituents and toxicity to local marine organisms was performed.It was found that produced formation water discharged into Bass Strait presents a very low risk to marine organisms due to very low toxicity and very high dilution rates. For the Halibut platform, acceptable acute toxicity concentration can be obtained with dilution of less than 2:1. Actual dilution rates are approximately 30:1 within 10m of the discharge point, and concentrations reach an indicative 'no chronic' toxicity effect within 25m of the discharge point. The plume is also spatially limited and mobile and any organism would be exposed to potentially lethal concentrations of produced formation water for less than about 30 seconds for median current condition.

Management of Mid-Atlantic Offshore Development Risks

1977 ◽  
Vol 14 (04) ◽  
pp. 331-350
Author(s):  
W. D. Snider ◽  
G. J. Buffleben ◽  
J. R. Harrald ◽  
K. F. Bishop ◽  
J. C. Card
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
System Safety ◽  
Oil And Gas Resources ◽  
Development Plans ◽  
Offshore Oil And Gas ◽  
Development Risks ◽  
Offshore Development ◽  
Offshore Oil ◽  
Central Management

Careful attention must be given to identification, evaluation, and control of risks associated with development of mid-Atlantic offshore oil and gas if environmental damage and development delays are to be avoided. A number of approaches to safety, or risk management, are possible, but all seek to answer the central management, are possible, but all seek to answer the central management question, "Am I safe enough?" System safety methods are now available which can assist us in making intelligent decisions on safety measures to be incorporated in offshore development plans. Development of offshore oil and gas resources has brought new risks to exploratory and development drilling, production, and transportation operations. Concern over these risks has prompted a number of studies. After a brief review of these studies, the authors describe investigations in two areas: oil discharges in the Gulf of Mexico and worldwide accidents involving mobile offshore drilling units. A number of measures to reduce risks are being considered or have already been taken by government and industry. Greater application of system safety procedures offers new potential for reducing the risks in offshore development.

Extraction Not Creation: The History of Offshore Petroleum in the Gulf of Mexico

2007 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler Priest
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Oil And Gas Development ◽  
The Social ◽  
History Of ◽  
Offshore Oil And Gas ◽  
Offshore Development ◽  
Offshore Oil ◽  
Offshore Petroleum

Offshore development is one of the most important but least analyzed chapters in the history of the petroleum industry, and the Gulf of Mexico is the most explored, drilled, and developed offshore petroleum province in the world. This essay examines offshore oil and gas development in the Gulf of Mexico, highlighting the importance of access and how the unique geology and geography of the Gulf shaped both access and technology. Interactions between technology, capital, geology, and the political structure of access in the Gulf of Mexico generated a functionally and regionally complex extractive industry that repeatedly resolved the material and economic contradictions of expanding into deeper water. This was not achieved, however, simply through technological miracles or increased mastery over the environment, as industry experts and popular accounts often imply. The industry moved deeper only by more profoundly adapting to the environment, not by transcending its limits. This essay diverges from celebratory narratives about offshore development and from interpretations that emphasize the social construction of the environment. It challenges the storyline of market-driven technology and its miraculous ability to expand and create petroleum abundance in the Gulf.

Drilling and Service Contracts in Offshore Oil and Gas Operations

1973 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 480
Author(s):  
J. M. Killey
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
Offshore Drilling ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Drilling Rig ◽  
Service Contracts ◽  
Oil And Gas Operations ◽  
Offshore Oil And Gas ◽  
Offshore Oil ◽  
Offshore Operations

As onshore oil and gas deposits are becoming more difficult to locate, and as the world demands for energy continue to increase at an alarming rate, oil companies are channeling much of their exploration activities towards offshore operations, and in particular, towards operations centered off Canada's coast lines. Because of the environment, offshore drilling presents problems which are novel to the onshore-geared oil industry. J. M. Killey discusses in detail many of the considerations involved in drafting the offshore drilling contract, concentrating on problems such as the liability of the various parties; costs; scheduling; pollution; conflict of laws; etc. Similarly, he discusses service contracts (such as supply boat charters; towing services; helicopter services; etc.^ which are necessity to the operation of an offshore drilling rig. To complement his paper, the author has included number of appendices which list the various considerations lawyer must keep in mind when drafting contracts for offshore operations.

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