lubricants in cutting tools, additives, well treatment chemicals, ballast water, boiler
blowdown, process water, oil sludge, oil spills and cooling water. The water
pollutants that are generally produced during different exploration and production
operations are discussed below (Olajire 2014; Helmy and Kardena 2015).
Seismic Survey
The presence of oil-gas is located by geophysical method, that is seismic operation.
During seismic operation, the ground water and surface water are contaminated with
explosive waste and equipment maintenance waste. At this stage of operation, waste
volumes are minimal.
Exploratory Drilling
After identifying the probable reservoir of oil-gas via seismic survey, exploratory
drilling of reservoir and source rocks is performed to detect the occurrence of oil and
gas. The common water pollutants from this stage include drilling mud, drilling and
cutting fluids, drilling chemicals (barite, bentonite), stimulation fluids, cementing
waste, explosive chemicals, process water and production testing wastes.
Construction
Following the drilling, the oil and gas are transported through pipeline after treatment. The suitable infrastructure required for oil-gas processing includes pipes,
cables, tubing, tanks, cooling system, etc. During this phase, the wastes generated
are lubricants, solvents, paints, etc.
Production
Once the appropriate construction is built, the production of oil-gas from the
reservoir is started. Throughout the production activity, production chemicals,
sludge bottom and work over wastes are produced as pollutants.
Maintenance
All exploration and production activities require maintenance such as inspection and
repair of vehicles, drilling rigs and all other equipment. During maintenance, the
surface water and ground water are polluted with contaminants like used lubricants,
spent solvents, etc.
8 Treatment of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Pollutants in Water
233
blowdown, process water, oil sludge, oil spills and cooling water. The water
pollutants that are generally produced during different exploration and production
operations are discussed below (Olajire 2014; Helmy and Kardena 2015).
Seismic Survey
The presence of oil-gas is located by geophysical method, that is seismic operation.
During seismic operation, the ground water and surface water are contaminated with
explosive waste and equipment maintenance waste. At this stage of operation, waste
volumes are minimal.
Exploratory Drilling
After identifying the probable reservoir of oil-gas via seismic survey, exploratory
drilling of reservoir and source rocks is performed to detect the occurrence of oil and
gas. The common water pollutants from this stage include drilling mud, drilling and
cutting fluids, drilling chemicals (barite, bentonite), stimulation fluids, cementing
waste, explosive chemicals, process water and production testing wastes.
Construction
Following the drilling, the oil and gas are transported through pipeline after treatment. The suitable infrastructure required for oil-gas processing includes pipes,
cables, tubing, tanks, cooling system, etc. During this phase, the wastes generated
are lubricants, solvents, paints, etc.
Production
Once the appropriate construction is built, the production of oil-gas from the
reservoir is started. Throughout the production activity, production chemicals,
sludge bottom and work over wastes are produced as pollutants.
Maintenance
All exploration and production activities require maintenance such as inspection and
repair of vehicles, drilling rigs and all other equipment. During maintenance, the
surface water and ground water are polluted with contaminants like used lubricants,
spent solvents, etc.
8 Treatment of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Pollutants in Water
233