OGP Report No. 413 Rev 1.1

Guidelines for waste management
with special focus on areas with limited infrastructure

Report No. 413, rev1.1
September 2008 (updated March 2009)
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Guidelines for waste management

with special focus on areas with limited infrastructure
Report No: 413, rev1.1
September 2008 (updated March 2009)
Document revisions
1.1 Clarification as to withdrawn status of report 196 in Executive Summary
1.0 Initial release
ii
2008 OGP
Guidelines for waste management with special focus on areas with limited infrastructure
Executive summary
Management of waste is an integral part of responsible oil and gas exploration and production activities throughout the world. Good waste management can be especially challenging in areas where
supporting infrastructure or regulatory frameworks are not well developed or absent.
This document provides fundamental guidance on waste management in exploration and production (E&P) operations. It is based on an earlier (1993) OGP publication on waste management
(OGP report number 196, now withdrawn) a publication which is still relevant on many issues
this document particularly departs from it by focusing on managing waste in areas where there
is little or no supporting infrastructure or where regulatory frameworks are developing. Operators
in countries with limited infrastructure can be confronted with costly waste management options,
especially if they are not taken into account until the later stages of field development or production.
This document emphasises and provides guidance on principles and practices of effective waste
management, as well as information on waste streams and technologies typically applicable in E&P
operations. At the same time, users of this document should recognise that site-specific conditions
may limit the applicability of any guidance offered in this document. Practices discussed include:
Taking a life cycle approach to waste management in oil and gas projects and incorporating
a systematic waste management planning framework. Using this approach, waste management
considerations can be taken into account at the early stages of a project.
Many companies now have management tools to communicate expectations and provide consistency in implementing common management practices. A brief overview of a project management tool developed by OGP called e-SHRIMP (Environmental, Social, Health and Risk
Impact Management Process) is provided. e-SHRIMP describes for each phase of an E&P
project a number of discrete steps that have the potential to lead to improved project delivery.
Applying a hierarchy of pollution prevention elements to attempt to reduce waste production:
Principles of the waste management hierarchy are provided and examples of reduction at source,
reuse, recycling/recovery and residue treatment are discussed. Also included is a list of potentially higher risk wastes which operators should consider avoiding.
Applying a risk-based approach to waste management: An example of a general framework for
risk-based decision making is outlined which can be applied to a range of waste management
activities.
Evaluating existing waste management capacity early and use a risk-based approach: This
includes evaluating available facilities and identifying gaps. A list of considerations is provided
for assessing third party sites for potential use.
Collecting, segregating, storing and transferring waste in a way that reduces risk of escape to
the environment: Some practical guidance is included for this aspect of waste management.
Appropriate methods for subsequent treatment and disposal are provided in Appendices 4 and
5, along with some key factors to consider when choosing a specific option.
Taking into account critical site-specific environmental characteristics, regulatory environment, logistical challenges and community outreach: Due to the potential lack of infrastructure at oil and gas operations in developing areas, it may be necessary to make arrangements for
waste management facilities to be constructed. Information on how to evaluate a location for a
new waste site includes preliminary reconnaissance, detailed field studies and the development
of a community outreach strategy. Community support is a key consideration in the development of a new waste management facility.
Considering waste measurements and performance reporting as valuable tools to evaluate environmental performance and to help others understand our industry: Appropriate
environmental performance indicators will take into consideration key drivers, coordination
in planning and timeline for data collection, and good practices leading to a more proactive
approach to use of information.
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In addition, the guidelines appendices contain:

A list of specialised OGP publications that supplement these guidelines.

The e-SHRIMP toolbox.
An example waste tracking form.
An overview of the E&P process.
Examples of waste treatment and disposal methods.
A list of waste types common to E&P operations.
A table of waste management options and waste definitions.
Synopsis of conventions and treaties that may be applicable in managing waste.
This document is based on the lessons learned and experiences of OGP members. It came about after
a number of these members, with extensive knowledge of the issue, formed the Waste Management
Task Force in 2004 to tackle the challenge of managing upstream wastes, especially in countries
with little or no infrastructure. This group drew their experiences together to create this document.
It is hoped that the Guidelines will assist E&P Operators in further developing their waste management practices to improve the protection of the environment, the workforce and the local communities within which we work.
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Table of contents
1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Waste Management Across the Oil and Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Principles and Practices of Waste Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3.1 Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1.1 Remove and Reduce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1.2 Reuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1.3 Recycling/Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1.4 Residue Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1.5 Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.2 Risk-Based Waste Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.2.1 Waste Management Hazard Identification and Characterisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.2.2 Exposure Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.2.3 Risk Characterisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.2.4 Risk-Based Decision Making . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.3 Waste Management Capacity Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.4 Evaluation of Third Party Waste Management Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.5 Waste Collection, Segregation and Temporary Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.6 Waste Transfer and Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.7 Waste Handling Treatment and Disposal Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
New Waste Management Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

4.1 Environmental Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.2 The Regulatory Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.3 Community and Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Waste Measurement (Tracking, Performance) and Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

5.1 Key Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.2 Planning and Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.3 Good Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2008 OGP
Figures
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
e-SHRIMP Toolbox Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Waste Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Waste Manifest Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Tables
Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Table 4
Table 5
Table 6
Table 7
Elements of a Waste Management Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Chemicals and Substances to Avoid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Check List for Evaluation of Third Party Waste Management Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Examples of Environmental & Physical Field Studies for Siting of E&P Waste Management Facilities 14
Environmental Aspects and Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Waste Management Options Summary Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Waste Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Appendices
Appendix 1. Relevant OGP Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Appendix 2
Example of a Waste Tracking Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Appendix 3
An Overview of the Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Process
(Extracted from OGP Report 196; Exploration and Production Waste Management Guidelines) . . . 22
Appendix 4
Waste Handling, Treatment and Disposal Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Appendix 5
Waste Management Options Summary Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Appendix 6
Waste Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Appendix 7
International Provisions Related To Waste Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

vi
Acronyms list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
2008 OGP
1 Introduction
Waste management is an integral component of oil & gas exploration & production. The principal
benefits of sound management include avoidance of impacts on human health and the environment.
Proper waste management may bring additional benefits in terms of reducing operational and capital expenditures, reducing reputation risk, and reducing financial and legal liability.
Oil & gas activities are continually expanding to new areas. Frequently, these have a poorly developed waste management and regulatory infrastructure. As part of its mission to promote best practice sharing amongst its members and in the wider upstream industry, OGP has produced this waste
management guidance publication with a particular focus on these areas. This publication builds on
an earlier more general waste management document (OGP, 1993) by including current thinking
and providing a context for these developments.
Waste is defined in a number of ways; by regulatory background and company approach. The term
is frequently qualified with adjectives such as special, harmful, hazardous or non-hazardous,
but these qualifiers have no universal understanding such that they can be adopted in the context
of this publication. For the purpose of this publication, waste is defined as any material that is surplus to requirement and management comprises E&P project definition, selection of technology,
design of facilities, waste collection, storage, transport, treatment and disposal. In using the preceding waste definition, it is recognised that a waste material in these terms may in fact be a raw material
or a material that is reusable in another context.
Waste can be of particular concern when it poses a threat to human health and the environment.
Waste can also have aesthetic impacts by creating a visual disturbance and/or odours that may affect
people who live or work near treatment and disposal sites. Finally, the production of waste can represent the unproductive consumption of a natural resource: it is unwanted by the producer.
Specific issues related to waste are not experienced uniformly. Rather, they tend to be governed by
the type of activity or operation and the local/regional conditions. Issues depend, for example, on
the sensitivities associated with the local physical environment and the nature of the environment
itself. Similarly, waste becomes an issue where there are insufficient facilities to treat and dispose of
it responsibly, or where resources, eg materials or sites for landfill, are scarce. This means that any
solutions to waste issues are unlikely to be consistent in scope, but must be flexible in order to allow
adaptation to the particular set of conditions faced.
There are sound business arguments in favour of managing waste effectively. The improper treatment
and disposal of waste can place a significant cost burden on the company when remedial action is
later found to be necessary. Poor management of waste may also potentially increases the risk of local
complaints, public health risks, regulatory authority enforcement (including fines) and prosecutions
or other administrative action. Bad publicity due to poor waste management practices (or perceived
poor practices) can also cause longer-term damage to an organisations reputation. This may manifest
itself in opposition from local communities, scrutiny by regulators and governments unwillingness
to do business with the organisation. Failure to manage waste effectively, therefore, may not only be
potentially detrimental to human health and the environment, but may also increase financial costs
and the risk of reputation damage.
Properly managed E&P wastes are unlikely to pose significant threats to human health and the environment. However, it is recognised that E&P operations including waste management take place
in a wide variety of settings. Responses to specific issues related to waste management may not be
handled uniformly due to site-specific conditions.
Thorough assessment of waste issues in the early phases of a project life cycle can enable a wider range
of more effective and less costly waste management alternatives compared with those that are available later in the life cycle. Good management of waste from point of generation through its ultimate
disposition should decrease the potential risk of adverse impacts to people and the environment,
company reputation and financial aspects.
This publication does not address in detail gaseous wastes, produced water, drilling fluids and cuttings, or materials that contain naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). More detail on
these classes of material is addressed in specific reports published by OGP (see Appendix 1).
2008 OGP
2 Waste management across

the oil & gas life cycle
There are many potential business drivers that direct approaches to waste management. The importance of these will depend on local context and operator policies and objectives. These include corporate responsibility, regulatory and legal compliance reputation, cost saving, risk reduction and
being a good neighbour.
Oil and gas projects have a number of discrete phases, starting with a business case evaluation through
project design, construction, commissioning, operations and final closure. Given that sound waste
management is a prerequisite of responsible social and environmental performance, cost control and
reputation management, it should be addressed at all stages of project development.
In 2007, OGP developed a project management tool called e-SHRIMP (Environmental, Social,
Health and Risk Impact Management Process). This system describes a number of factors for each
phase of an E&P project:
Stakeholder participation.
Risks, opportunities and assessment.
HSE management plans.
Project delivery may be improved if such HSE Management Plans are developed in a timely
manner.
The e-SHRIMP tool box (outlined in Figure 1) provides lists of questions that help to frame the different stages and accumulate a body of information that can be carried through the entire lifecycle
of E&P operations. A key element of the e-SHRIMP framework is starting early.
The key oil and gas life-cycle phases identified in e-SHRIMP and the role of stakeholders in the
process (those responsible for the project, those who influence or are influenced by the project) are
given below. These stakeholders may include concept and project engineers, HSE staff, contractors,
regulators, local community and on a case-by-case basis, international and local non-governmental
organisations (NGOs).
Business Case Evaluation

At this stage, high level waste management issues are identified that may influence project viability
in terms of capital and operational expenditure and community relations. These may relate to, for
example, transport, local waste infrastructure or regulatory constraints. Such issues usually result
from special characteristics of the effluent produced, eg sour gas or gas or condensates containing
mercury which may lead to waste generation, together with limited local waste infrastructures or
export routes. It is crucial to identify such issues as soon as possible, as they may influence the process
selected and therefore the economics of the project.
Identify and appraise
During this phase, work is required to generate sufficient information to compare project options so
that waste management is a factor in the decision-making process. This refinement should account
for company, international, national and regional development policies. At this stage local planning
legislation may require a formal environmental impact assessment (EIA). Whether or not mandatory, an EIA, if deemed appropriate, can be used as a tool for project co-ordination.
An EIA may contain an outline for a Waste Management Plan that will record waste management
principles and policies to be developed and implemented throughout the project development. In
some countries, a waste management plan may be required as part of a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) or other similar agreement authorizing E&P activities. Use of a Waste Management
Plan is recognised as good practice. The key elements of a Waste Management Plan are shown in
Table 1 at the end of this section.
Selection
During project selection, significant decisions are made such as preliminary process design and
location. At this stage, any key waste management issues should be identified. These may relate to
clarifying legal obligations, identifying whether there is a need to develop local waste management
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2008 OGP
Project description
Initial project concept and pre-FEED
Select abandonment option
Specify required changes to existing

operations
Dene options based on risks and

opportunities
2008 OGP
Implementation
and follow-up
Decision
gateway
Improvement register
Personnel and competence checklist
A4
Yes:
B4
Updated improvement register

Updated personnel and competence
checklist
No: project closure
Yes:
Is the project
economically viable?
No: re-assess/project closure
Are the risks acceptable

and/or managable?
Yes:
No: project closure
Is the project
C4
C3

checklist
N/A
ESH
management plan
B3
N/A
Risks, opportunities
and assessments
N/A
A1
A country and regional ESH prole

report
Risk and opportunities register
Screening note
Guidance for business visitors A2
A3
C1
Decision support package (DSP)
Updated stakeholder participation
report
ESH feasability report
Staff competence checklist C2
B1

report
ESH feasability report
B2
Staff competence checklist
Stakeholder identication strategy

Communication strategy
Updated stakeholder identication

plan
Updated communications plan
report
Updated commitments register
Engineering/geological options
appraisal for exploration activities
Select
Type, scale and site boundaries of

likely business activities
Type, scale and site boundaries of likely

business activities
Geophysical appraisal and site

boundaries of likely exploration
activities
Identify and
appraise
Stakeholder identication plan

Communications plan
Stakeholder participation report
Commitments register
Stakeholder
participation
Decommissioning Major site abandonment forseen
Major upgrades Dene need and objectives
Market delivery:
Pipelines: Known supply from oil/gas eld. Initial
LNG Development:
market evaluation
Shipping:
Oil/gas field Approximate resource base and

geophysical conditions known
development
Exploration Purchase service agreement: rst entry

into a country or region
activities
Business case
evaluation
h e r e
a w a r d e d
b e
m a y
E P C
D4

checklist
Yes:
No: project closure
Is the project
D3
Preliminary ESH management plan

report
Scoping report or ESIA report D2
Personnel & competence checklist
D1
Updated stakeholder identication plan

report
Develop abandonment plan
FEED around existing operations
FEED
FEED
Dene activity and location
Define
(FEED)
h e r e
a w a r d e d
b e
m a y
E P C
Build infrastructure
Detailed design
E3
E4

checklist
Yes:
No: project closure/re-design
Is the project
Full ESH management plan

report
Addendum ESIA
E2
Staff competence checklist
E1

report
Develop detailed abandonment plan
Yes:
No: re-design
Is the project
F4
F3
Assessment reports
checklist
N/A
F2
Updated risk and opportunities register
F1

report
Dismantle; relocate; reuse; recycle
Build into existing operation
Build
Detailed design
Detailed design and existing operations
Position and install
Execute
Detailed denition of activity and

location
Define
(detailed design)
o p e r a t o r
t o
H a n d o v e r
Figure 1 e-SHRIMP Toolbox Diagram
G1
Yes:
No:
Does the project continue to be

G4
G3
G2
Assessment reports
Updated personnel and competence checklist
N/A
Updated risk and opportunities register
Normal condition/minor modications

Environmental performance report
Update stakeholder identication plan
Update communications plan
Update stakeholder participation report
Update commitments register
Major expansion/modication
Notify appropriate business managers (memo,
email, etc)
restart e-SHRIMP if appropriate
Manage residual site impact
Integrate with existing operation
H4
H3
Audit reports
checklist
N/A
Updated risk and opportunities

register
Site reinstatement and restoration
plan
Decommissioning ESIA
H2
H1
Updated stakeholder identication

plan
report
Hand-over site (based on zero risk or

limited liability)
N/A
For major projects follow e-SHRIMP as

decommissioning project or
hand-over site (based on zero risk or
limited liability)
Follow e-SHRIMP as
decommissioning project
Project end - hand over

Operation start
Operate site(s)
Appraise ndings. Reinstate and leave

site and/or move to eld
development
Retire
Undertake activity
Operate
infrastructure, determining contracting and procurement practices, identifying current practices

and suppliers of alternative waste technologies and community outreach.
Define
During Front End Engineering Design (FEED) and Detailed Design, waste management requirements are more clearly identified. The information can be used to develop and refine the various
Waste Management Plans developed by the operator or their contractors (and sub-contractors).
Execute
This is the construction phase when design plans are realised and facilities are put in place. The construction phase often determines the range and size of waste management facilities required, since
this is the period that generates the widest range of waste types and the largest volumes. Waste management involves implementing operational management plans and providing that development and
construction wastes are managed in a manner consistent with the Waste Hierarchy (see Figure 2).
Operate
Waste management during operations can fall into two parts, (i) waste collection handling, storage,
(sometimes waste may need to be stored for an extended period of time if infrastructure to dispose
or treat it is not in place so managing waste storage is important to prevent container and label
deterioration) treatment and disposal and (ii) periodic review of the waste management plan and
implementation of opportunities for improvement.
Retire
This can be a project in itself depending on the size and wastes associated with a facility. In this
instance, it may be necessary to go through the project development process outlined above. Decommissioning and divestment needs should be considered in the project development phases to avoid
possible environmental impacts and to reduce potentially expensive remediation and divestment
costs.
2008 OGP
Table 1 Elements of a Waste Management Plan

Relevant section of
these guidelines
Stage
Action
Obtain management
approval & commitment
Review planning basis with management.

Resolve resource/scheduling issues.
Obtain management approval & commitment to develop
plan.
Section 2
Outline organisational & geographical boundaries

covered by plan.
Section 2
Define
objectivE&Purpose
Identify & categorise

wastes
Determine that all wastes generated within the area are

covered by the plan.
Identify physical and chemical characteristics that may
warrant special handling.
Determine volumes, frequencies and differing types
and quantities of waste generation through life-cycle of
project.
Determine types of waste that will be generated with
contingencies i.e. plan for the unexpected.
Categorise waste as appropriate.
Section 3
Table 2
Appendix 6
Identify applicable
regulations, restrictions
& requirements
Identify applicable host country and local laws and

regulations.
Evaluate agreements (Intergovernmental agreements,
lender commitments to internationally recognised
standards e.g. World Bank requirements) and any
potential trade restrictions.
Account for project partner(s) publicly stated company
policies and operating standards.
Appendix 7
Identify infrastructure
requirements
Evaluate local waste management facilities and

collection/storage/transportation/disposal or reuse
systems.
Consider regulatory restrictions, engineering limitations,
operating feasibility (locally available spare parts &
trained personnel to operate specialised equipment),
practicability and the availability of approved waste
management sites.
Section 4
Table 3
List and evaluate waste

management options
List potential waste management practices.

Determine each options HSE risk.
Section 4
Appendix 5
Perform Source
Reduction Analysis
following the waste
hierarchy (Eliminate,
Reduce, Reuse Recycle,
dispose with energy
recovery, Dispose)
Evaluate opportunities for source reduction, followed by

volume and toxicity reduction.
Re-use/recycle, if possible.
Evaluate contractual conditions for vendors to supply
goods with reusable/returnable packaging or return
unused product to vendor whenever practicable.
Section 3
Appendix 4
Select waste
management methods
Choose environmentally sound, practicable and legal

method for the area of operation and location.
Select alternative management method if appropriate.
Section 4
Appendix 4
Develop & Implement

Plan
Procure/build/staff any additional plant or facilities.

Develop/ revise procedures for waste handling and
facility operations.
Develop and execute deployment plan.
Provide communications and training/competence to
affected parties.
Review & resolve any new resource commitments with
management.
Test waste producer line of sight to the final treatment
and/or disposal point of all wastes generated (Duty of
Care).
Obtain management approval & commitment to
implement plan.
Section 5
Section 3.3
Section 3.6
Review and Update

Plan
Verify and track environmental performance Environmental Performance Indicators (EPIs).

Periodically review plan.
Evaluate new or modified waste management practices.
Revise plan as necessary.
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Section 2
Section 5
3 Principles and practices of waste management

This section describes some key high-level principles that influence the approach taken to waste
management. It begins with the traditional thinking about a waste management hierarchy and follows with risk-based management principles. It continues by identifying other factors that influence
sequential application of the principle of a hierarchy.
3.1 Hierarchy
The principles of waste management include the incorporation of a hierarchy of management practices that is integral to the development of the strategy for dealing with wastes. This hierarchy is frequently expressed in terms of reduction, reuse, recycling and finally residue treatment and disposal.
Waste management, however, begins with prevention. Prevention refers to the avoidance or removal
of waste by modification of design and operating practices. This principle can be incorporated, to the
extent practical, into all stages of the project life cycle.
The hierarchy is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 2. This section provides some detail on steps
that can be taken at each stage in the hierarchy. The examples given are illustrative and are not
intended to be a comprehensive list.
Figure 2 Waste Hierarchy

Remove
Dont generate waste
Generate less waste by better

management and by material
substitution
Reduce
Reuse
Reuse in its original form
Recycle or reprocess the item

to incorporate it into a new
product or new use
Recycle
Extract materials or energy

from a waste
Recover
Treat
Dispose
Mitigate the inherent hazard

of the waste
Mitigate the hazard through
pathway modifictions
relocate it to another location
The elements of the hierarchy are described in more detail in the following sections:
3.1.1 Remove and Reduce

Collectively this is known as reduction at source. Source reduction occurs prior to reuse, recycling,
treatment, or disposal. Source reduction may be achieved through equipment or technology modifications, process or procedure modifications, reformulation or redesign of products, substitution
of raw materials, and improvements in housekeeping, maintenance, training or inventory control.
Source reduction is often the most cost effective way to manage waste. Source reduction opportunities should initially be reviewed at the design phase of the project life cycle.
Volume reduction
Process specification: use gravel packs and screens to significantly reduce the volume and formation of solids/sludges.
Scheduling sequential hydro-testing to reduce the demand for test water and the volume of
water for subsequent management and disposal.
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Inventory control and management to avoid surplus eg use of just in time delivery of short shelf
life consumables.
Optimise purchasing supply contracts to favour bulk purchases therefore reducing the volume
of packaging.
Bulk supply of products in reusable containers eg chemicals supplied in reusable steel tanks
rather than 25 litre plastic drums.
Supply reductions: allow for return of unused products and recycled containers to vendors in
contracts.
Supplier take-back schemes e.g. computer equipment, empty containers etc.
Improved housekeeping and spill prevention.
Toxicity reduction
Table 2 lists some chemicals/substances that should be avoided, because they have been regulated
by various regulatory authorities, and identifies possible alternatives. Examples of reducing toxicity
include:

Use of non-chlorinated degreasing agents.

Water-based paints in preference to solvent-based paints.
Biodegradable plastics.
Asbestos-free gaskets and insulation.
Mercury-free components (this includes lighting).
Hydro-testing using low toxicity (or no) additives.
Table 2 Chemicals and Substances to be Avoided

Substance to be Avoided
Alternatives
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Silicones, esters, cast resin.
Asbestos
Non-asbestos containing materials.
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and formaldehyde

(biocides)
Glutaraldehyde, Isothlazolin (or other low-toxicity

biocides).
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Depends on use. CFC alternatives lists can be obtained

through:
US EPA CFR reference, 40 CFR 82 Subpart G
Appendices.
UNEP DTIE OzonAction Branch.
Leaded paints
Unleaded paints. Also, water-based or low-volatility

solvent formulations.
Chlorinated solvents e.g., carbon tetrachloride,

1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene
Non-chlorinated hydrocarbon-based solvents, steam

cleaning.
Heavy metals (in reverse emulsion breakers,

barite and grit blast)
Polymer (non-latex)-based formulation, low metals

concentration barite and grit blast.
Mercury (in pressure-measuring devices/

instrumentation)
Differential pressure cells/transmitters, pneumatic or

electric instrumentation.
Lead naphthenate (lubricant)
Lead-free lubricants.
Leaded thread compound
Lead-free thread compounds (for tubing and casing).
Chromate corrosion inhibitors
Sulphite or organic phosphate corrosion inhibitors,

especially those with reduced toxicity amine function.
Chrome lignosulphonate (as fluid loss

controlling agent) acceptable in small
amounts for rheology control
Carboxymethyl starches for fluid loss control. Improved

mud control to reduce fluid loss. If used (for rheology),
keep dose small and use formulations with trivalent form
complexed in lignin structure.
N.B. Further information on chemicals can be can be obtained from US EPA.
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3.1.2 Reuse
The re-use of materials in their original form such as:
Chemical containers. Some containers can be reused only once to provide container integrity
while others can be reused multiple times using an approved chemical vendor to refill chemical
x into the same used chemical x container with the correct choice of container material and
stock return procedures. Quality control checks should avoid cross contamination and integrity
issues.
Reuse of oily rags/pads that can be cleaned between uses. Need to consider the additional
impact of solvents, detergents and oily residues related to cleaning have the potential to create
another waste stream.
Refurbishment of equipment eg valves, meters.
Supply of equipment in reusable containers. For example, the use of plastic boxes rather than
cardboard can be considered. It is essential to identify a re-use option and to implement it; otherwise it may be better to use recyclable materials.
3.1.3 Recycling/recovery
This is the conversion of wastes into usable materials and/or extraction of energy or materials from
waste. Examples include:
Recycling scrap metal.
Re-conditioning drilling muds and solvents.
Using oily wastes for road construction and stabilisation (though consideration of chemical
components and potential leaching to soil and groundwater should be undertaken before such
use, for example, asphaltics may be appropriate for road use, but used oil may not).
Using cleaned drill cuttings and crushed clean concrete for road construction material and hard
standing.
Discarding shredded tyres for landfill liner protective layers or as an alternate daily cover for
landfills. For example, tires and high grip rubber mats/flooring might be suitable for use. The
area of operation and availability of recycling facilities will dictate what can be done.
Injecting used oil into the oil production plant.
Use of (clean/decontaminated) split drums for reinforcing retaining walls.
Recovering oil from tank bottoms.
Using hydrocarbon and other calorific wastes (solvents, oils, wood) for energy recovery (consideration of chemical constituents should be given for air emissions).
3.1.4 Residue Treatment

The destruction, detoxification and/or neutralisation of residues through processes such as:

Biological methods composting (if appropriate, materials can be recycled), land farming.
Thermal methods incineration, thermal desorption.
Chemical methods neutralisation, stabilisation.
Physical methods filtration, centrifugation, compaction or shredding.
3.1.5 Disposal
Injection.
Discharge to water or land.
Landfill.
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3.2 Risk-based Waste Management

Risk assessment can provide an operator with a means to prioritise management and disposal issues
and design options to manage potential human and environmental risks, especially in the absence of
a full regulatory framework regarding waste disposal that addresses the protection of human health
and the environment. The overall framework for risk-based decision-making may be applicable to
all types of waste management sites including oil and gas E&P facilities as well as multi-party waste
management facilities. The range of waste management alternatives that can be evaluated includes
technologies or practices that reduce the volume of waste or the concentration of potentially hazardous components, as well as re-use, treatment and disposal alternatives.
In general, the risk assessment process involves three primary elements: hazard identification and
toxicity characterisation, exposure assessment and risk characterisation. Specific to waste management, these elements focus on substances contained in/placed within waste management facilities
and may include: simulating their release and movement in the environment of potentially hazardous components; estimating their uptake by both human and environmental receptors; and predicting the potential health risks associated with exposure. This information can then be combined
with other factors, such as the probability that the modelled releases will occur and the viability or
appropriateness of feasible management options in ultimately defining the preferred waste management approach.
3.2.1 Waste Management Hazard Identification and Characterisation

In the context of waste management, hazard identification and toxicity characterisation is accomplished by identifying the types, quantities and composition of wastes that are or may be generated
by the technology and operating practices being considered. The characterisation should be sufficient to assess the potential to produce adverse health effects in human and environmental receptors.
This will often involve the collection and analysis of waste samples, so that the substances of potential concern can be identified. In addition, changes in waste compositions resulting from interaction
with the environment (such as weathering, evaporation, dilution, or reaction with other wastes or
environmental media such as water or soil) should be considered.
Waste characterisation and toxicity assessment have inherent uncertainty. In particular, most of the
existing toxicity data that is typically used for risk assessment purposes reflect specific combinations
of test organisms, pure chemical doses/concentrations and exposure duration. The application of
these data to wastes is complicated by the fact that most wastes are variable mixtures rather than
fixed, pure substances. The effects that these mixtures may have on the toxicity of individual chemicals may not be known and, if so, add to the uncertainty of a risk evaluation.
3.2.2 Exposure Assessment

The exposure assessment introduces site-specific factors into the characterisation of site risk. The
exposure assessment is typically a three-step process involving: (1) determination of the relative
locations (proximity) of the hazards and potential receptors, including consideration of types and
sensitivity of potential receptors; (2) identification of possible complete exposure pathways including consideration of the likelihood that the pathway may be complete; and (3) estimation of the
magnitude and duration of the potential exposure. Exposure assessment for ecological receptors may
involve additional consideration such as the size of the receptor population of concern, which should
be considered on a site-specific basis.
3.2.3 Risk Characterisation

The final step is the assessment of risk. In this step, the results of the exposure assessment are combined with the toxicity information gathered in the previous step to quantify the potential risks
to human health and the environment. Since safety factors are typically included at each step to
account for uncertainty, the overall assessment of risk is typically conservative (ie often overstates
the potential risks that the waste management option may present).
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3.2.4 Risk-Based Decision Making

Once the risks associated with waste management options have been estimated, they can be evaluated and compared. In order to evaluate the risk estimates, individual companies should first identify
applicable, comparable and appropriate action levels and approaches based on compatible risk-based
regulatory schemes and other references or tools. The comparison of possible risks estimated for
alternative waste management options then distinguishes those that pose acceptable risks and, for
those that might exceed acceptable risk levels, the identification of possible mitigations to risk.
3.3 Waste Management Capacity Building

On entry to new countries and new regions, identify and appraise the local waste management infrastructure to assess the ability to handle the range of wastes expected to be generated. As part of risk
based waste management, decisions on the selection of waste facilities should be made with input
from a waste management practitioner/professional. Decisions should be made after appraising the
local infrastructure, including third party facilities and identifying the gaps and shortcomings, as
well as identifying future requirements and assessing the potential for building the capacities of the
local infrastructure.
Appraisal of existing capacity might find absence of, or poorly-constructed or operated waste management facilities. Bearing in mind operator obligations under PSAs or similar agreements and
company polices, an operator may attempt to fill these gaps by taking steps like providing its own
infrastructure or facilities, helping to upgrade existing local facilities or encouraging local thirdparty capacity building. Since such upgrades will take significant time, it is advisable to undertake
the infrastructure evaluation as early as possible to allow time to address any gaps.
Steps to address gaps in waste management infrastructure may include:

Educating and training in waste management techniques and operations.

Facilitating development of re-use and recycling operations for the local communities.
Running pilot-scale projects.
Building a facility that local populations can use or operate and that can be integrated into the
local municipal infrastructure.
Building a separate facility that is used only by oil and gas operations.
Establishing independent sustainable projects.
3.4 Evaluation of Third Party Waste Management Facilities

An assessment of third-party, off-site recycling and waste treatment and disposal facilities helps to
gain assurance that effective controls are in place to comply with appropriate regulations and to
reduce any potential need for future human health and environmental activities associated with
waste management activities. Third party waste management facilities should be evaluated with
input from a waste management practitioner.
An assessment and inspection programme would typically include collection of data about the history and operation of the facility, a site visit to see the facility in person, a risk ranking, or evaluation
of the information and periodic re-audits and site visits to confirm the facility stays in an acceptable
condition. Table 3 outlines some key elements for consideration and review during a facility assessment.
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Table 3 Check List for Evaluation of Third Party Waste Management Facilities
Points to consider
Evidence Includes
What types of waste are accepted at the site for

treatment and disposal, and what methods are used?
Applicable site licence in place.

Site procedures.
Are the treatment and disposal methods appropriate

for the types of wastes accepted?
Local legislation.
Company policy.
Good practice.
Are all required regulatory permits in place?
Copies of relevant permits/licences for site and

equipment (if required).
Is the facility in compliance with regulations and

permits?
Reports submitted to regulator.

Regulator site inspection reports.
Records of breaches/fines.
Are the facilities located, designed and constructed to

provide environmental protection?
Was an Environmental Impact Assessment

performed?
Appropriateness of design in relation to e.g. local
geology, land use, topography, presence of usable
groundwater, soil permeability.
Evidence of e.g. landfill lining, emission controls (for
incinerators etc.), integrity testing for disposal wells.
Does the site have effective management and

monitoring controls?
Site procedures.
Environmental monitoring programme.
Evidence of monitoring and tracking emissions
against maximum permissible limits.
Organised and effective waste manifest system.
Use of competent, accredited laboratories for
analysis.
Vehicle maintenance and service records.
Have steps been taken to mitigate the risk of HSE

incidents?* HSE management plan.
Condition of containers holding waste materials.

Provision of secondary containment and/
or impervious barriers to prevent migration of
materials and spills.
Level of housekeeping.
Any apparent spills and stains.
Training and awareness of staff.
Does the facility respond quickly and effectively to any

incidents?
Spill response plan.

Spill observation and reporting system.
Spill response training records.
Provision of spill kits on-site.
Does the facility have a good safety culture with

adequately trained and resourced employees
(including appropriate protective equipment)?
Appropriate risk assessments.

Training plan and training records.
PPE availability on site.
Appropriate PPE, MSDS etc signs.
Performance track record.
Does the site have soil or groundwater impacts from

previous or current operations?
Site EIA/licence.
Records of previous use.
Are impacts from nearby sources potentially affecting

the site, for instance from groundwater migration?
Groundwater monitoring programme results.
How close is the facility to nearby residents, cultural

properties, or sensitive environmental areas?
EIA.
Site location plan.
Is security at the site adequate to prevent unauthorised

access?
Adequate fencing/patrolling.
History of security breaches.
Sightings of unauthorised personnel on site.
Are any sub-contracted services selected and

managed responsibly?
Evidence of effective sub-contractor audits.
What is the financial security of the facility, in terms

of its longevity of operation and its ability to pay for
potential incidents?
Company funding/share owners, date of company

founding, market share.
What are the relations with the surrounding community

and regulators; is the facility a good neighbour?
Records of complaints, fines, local perceptions.
Does the facility have an end-of-life reinstatement plan

and provision for its implementation, e.g. financial
assurance?
Decommissioning plan.
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3.5 Waste Collection, Segregation and Temporary Storage

Waste that is collected should be handled, stored and transported in a manner that reduces the risk
of escape to the environment (for example by particulates, infiltration, runoff or odours).
Waste sorting either at the source or after collection segregates wastes that require different treatment or disposal systems and avoid mixing non compatible products. For example, non-chlorinated
solvents should not be mixed with chlorinated solvents. Dedicated containers (bins, skips etc) should
be labelled clearly by type of waste (for example by colour-coding and illustrated by pictographs, and
the potential need for multiple language labelling) and should be installed in the vicinity of work
units and in living quarters. Containers should be made from durable materials compatible with
the waste to be collected, be leak-proof, sturdy, stable and easily handled. They should be designed
to prevent the ingress of animals (vectors), escaping odours and placed under cover if necessary for
protection from the elements.
Medical waste should be separated from other wastes because they may contain infectious agents
and potentially toxic substances; sharp objects should be packaged in puncture-proof containers.
Containers used for medical waste should be marked prominently with universal warning signs
and/or the word Biohazard. Used needles and syringes represent a particular threat as failure to
dispose of them safely may lead to recycling and repackaging which in turn lead to unsafe re-use.
Where possible, management of clinical/medical wastes should be integrated into existing healthcare waste management systems.
Risk assessment may identify some wastes that should be handled using special holding arrangements at the site of generation at the waste management facility eg stored on an impervious surface
and/or in a bunded area. It may be appropriate for some of these facilities to be connected to a drainage and collection system. The storage area may be equipped with suitable fire-fighting equipment
and spillage recovery equipment such as shovels and absorbent materials. Access to the storage site
should be limited to trained personnel. A restricted/controlled area may be required for some types
of waste for example, radioactive waste and explosives. Waste storage areas and access ways should
be kept clean and clear of trips/slips hazards.
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3.6 Waste Transfer and Tracking

Once the treatment and disposal solution has been selected from available options, transfer and
conveyance of wastes from the storage site to the site of treatment/disposal should be organised in
accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Modes of transport and routes from the site of waste generation to the treatment/disposal site should
be selected to reduce risks of release. Containers should be chosen to conform with legal requirements and method of transport (for example, European Community Code and International Maritime Organization stipulations and, for shipping, International Convention for the Safety of Life at
Sea (SOLAS). Documentation on material properties and precautions to be taken in case of spillage
(for example, the information on a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)) should be provided and
should accompany the waste.
Tracking of waste types, quantities and methods and location of final disposal of those wastes should
be considered as part of an overall waste management system to document the intended disposal of
the waste.
Information to consider in tracking includes:

Type of waste.
Quantity or volume of waste.
Final disposal location.
Date of waste despatch, transfer or disposal.
Waste contractor details.
Archiving and retention of waste tracking records as required by statute.
For off-site waste shipments, more detailed tracking forms and signatures may often be used to document the chain of custody each time the waste changes possession from the site generating the waste,
to the entity responsible for its transport to the disposal facility. A waste receipt from the receiving
waste facility documents that the waste arrived at the appropriate waste facility. An example of a
waste tracking sheet is given in Appendix 2.
3.7 Waste handling treatment and disposal methods

It is not possible within the context of this guideline to describe a comprehensive range of waste handling, treatment and disposal methods that would cover all circumstances. Appendix 5 describes
waste handling treatment and disposal methods for a number of commonly occurring E&P waste
materials.
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13
4 New waste management facilities

Where it is not practicable to rely on existing waste management infrastructure, it may be necessary
to design a new on-site or off-site facility. At an early stage in evaluating the location for a new site, it
will be necessary to evaluate a range of environmental and social factors, possibly through a screening procedure and/or Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (see Figure 1, e-SHRIMP). In
addition, this section can also be useful during evaluation of existing facilities (in conjunction with
section 3.3, Waste Management Capacity Building). The following considerations are important
when addressing specific waste management options:

Environmental characteristics.
The regulatory environment.
Logistical challenges.
Community and outreach.
4.1 Environmental characteristics:

In the siting of new waste management facilities, environmental characteristics may fall within two
categories: (i) physical and (ii) community & social interaction. Table 4 provides the key physical
studies and activities that are commonly used to determine site suitability.
Table 4 Examples of environmental and physical field studies for siting of E&P waste management facilities
14
Study
Activities
Preliminary
Reconnaissance:
carried out during
the appraisal stage
of the project to
obtain an overview
of the environmental
characteristics of the
area of interest.
Possible geohazards identification.

Gathering of existing environmental and historical data:
Aerial photographs and Cartographic maps.
Climatic records: seasonal regime, rainfall rate, wind intensity, temperature,
etc.
Population of the area.
Main use of the land (industrial, agricultural, residential).
Similar projects carried out in the area.
Regional geology and geomorphology.
Visits to the area:
Identification of access routes.
Water bodies crossings, etc.
Detailed field studies:

carried out from the
e-SHRIMP Select
stage onwards to
obtain the information
required for the design
and construction of a
waste management
facility
Climatic conditions: wind intensity and direction, temperature range, rainfall

rate.
Topographic survey: to identify potential hazards. To identify previously
modified topography and assess the construction needs for cutting and filling
required. The complexity of the survey will vary depending on the relief of the
area. Topographic survey scales are generally 1:1000 for road design.
Geological, geomorphological and hydro-geological studies i.e. review hydrogeologic data to identify the location, size and direction of flow for existing
surface water bodies and aquifers characterised as fresh or useable.
Geotechnical studies e.g. soil composition, granulometry, permeability,
bearing capacity and water-table level; determine soil conditions prior to
making decisions on loading for land-treatment, whether or not pits or landfills
will require liners to protect shallow groundwater sources. For example, in high
clay content and permafrost areas, liners may not be necessary. In other areas
with sandy soils and shallow useable groundwater, liners or even tanks may be
more appropriate.
Geohazard studies: landslides, seismic studies, ground conditions, etc.
Hydrology: characterise nearby water bodies, identify run off patterns, water
flow, flooding risks, chemical and physical analysis of surface and ground
water etc.
Fauna and vegetation characterisation: fauna and vegetation inventory,
detection of endangered species, determination of breeding and/or mating
grounds within affected areas, etc.
Environmental baseline and impact assessment.
Shallow gas presence assessment.
In some places an archaeological assessment of the area may be required or
appropriate.
2008 OGP
External relationships, particularly with the local community, will be critical to the success of a new
waste management facility. It is good practice to be proactive and seek to understand stakeholder
issues and manage any concerns. Resolution of issues later when communities or individuals may
be sensitised can be problematic. Therefore, the community should be consulted regarding siting,
construction, and operation of a proposed facility. From a very early stage, disturbances to communities should be reduced through good consultation and design. These steps will help to foster good
community relations and neighbourliness. Typical activities associated with waste management are,
for example, truck traffic (wheeled loaders, cranes) associated with waste unloading and processing.
Noise from waste compacters, grinders and other treatment conveyance systems may also have a
potential to disturb communities. The following activities/elements (Table 5) may be considered in
the preparation of a waste management site location.
Table 5 Environmental aspects and communities

Activity
Aspect
ESIA
Community disturbance issues should be identified and risk assessed as part of

the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA).
Consultation
Early and continuing consultation with local stakeholders to discuss the potential
for disturbances to the community should be undertaken throughout the project.
Performance
(see Section 5)
Waste measurement (tracking, performance) and reporting against key

performance indicators that can be used to track and evaluate a sites
performance through a site environmental monitoring programme.
Grievance
Developing a mechanism by which local people and other stakeholders may

raise grievances with the waste management site.
Abnormal & emergency
A community mitigation plan should be prepared involving the community for

abnormal and emergency events.
Noise
For a new waste management facility, an assessment should be made of the

possible impacts arising from increased noise and a mitigation plan implemented
to deal with this aspect.
Vibration
Similarly waste management site equipment may have the potential for vibration
and an assessment should be undertaken with a mitigation plan implemented
where there is potential for disturbance particularly for local community
structures.
Odour
An odour assessment should be undertaken with a mitigation plan implemented

where a site has potential to release offensive odours to a nearby community.
Dust & particulates
Where a proposed waste management facility has potential activities that

may result in an increase in local dust and particulates, a dust and particulates
assessment should be undertaken as part of the environmental assessment.
Lighting
An understanding of project and operational lighting and its related

environmental impacts should be undertaken in the waste management facility
site design. Mitigation is usually through good positioning and design of lighting
to avoid disturbance to a community.
Landscape
An understanding of a landscape and its visual impacts on local communities

should be undertaken in the waste management facility site design to avoid
detrimental effects on a communitys cultural landscape.
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15
4.2 The regulatory environment

Regulatory frameworks for control and organisation of capacity for waste management vary from
country to country and even regionally within a country. Some locations have mature programmes
that are fundamentally risk-based, taking into account factors such as waste characteristics, environmental setting and local infrastructure. In other areas, regulations may be substantially less
mature. Compounding this, some locations may have construction and operating permit or licence
mechanisms that impede obtaining timely, risk-based approval for new facilities. In other cases, legal
frameworks may be absent, or they may be inadequate to meet an operators needs.
In the early stages of an E&P project there may be a need to develop new waste management facilities. All legal requirements applicable (potentially including those under international treaties or
other legal agreements) to the construction and operation of new facilities should be identified.
These may include requirements for permits, notifications, authorisations, approvals or licences. In
addition, it is also prudent at this early stage to evaluate availability of critical resources such as operating personnel (and their competence), maintenance support and laboratories required to operate
any new waste management facility. All of these items can have significant impacts on a projects
ultimate success, including impacts on resource and time requirements. Training is a key factor here
and should be addressed at an early stage to enable trained staff to be available when the facility
becomes operational.
4.3 Community and outreach

The surrounding communitys perception and acceptance of a waste management facility can be
as important as the reality of a particular facilitys daily operations. Community approval is often
key to the location of new facilities. For this and other reasons, facilities located in populated areas
should consider the nature of their relations with the surrounding community. Community outreach is nothing more and nothing less than developing good two-way communication between
the operator of the facility and the near-by community. It involves letting people know about the
facility operations and sharing concerns the company might have; listening to others and understanding their concerns; working together on common goals and discussing differences in an open,
respectful manner.
An effective community relations effort should begin early and consider the unique nature of both
the proposed facility and its surrounding community. It may be valuable to evaluate the needs and
concerns of the community. The needs and resources of the facility should also be considered. The
greatest positive benefits are likely to be achieved through a programme that facilitates respect,
cooperation and communication between the facility and the surrounding community. If a facility
decides to implement a community relations programme, a key first step is to evaluate the facility
and its operations, including an assessment of employee attitudes toward the facility. Once completed, facilities will be able to identify programmes, practices and initiatives that are effective and
that can be shared with others. Outreach communication efforts may also alert the facility to aspects
of operations that could be improved. After assessing its own operations, the facility can then assess
the needs and concerns of the surrounding community. Effective outreach can be facilitated by: (1)
determining what issues are important to the community; (2) understanding the current relationship of the facility to the community; and (3) developing contacts with key local figures and opinion
formers.
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5 Waste management
(tracking, performance) and reporting
There are a variety of reasons to collect information regarding waste generation and disposal. These
include:
Monitoring and improving internal environmental performance.
Fulfilling regulatory reporting requirements.
Managing potential liability, past (inherited or legacy activities) and present with the ability to
review and change current performance.
Providing environmental information to external stakeholders such as communities and project
funding entities.
Cost control eg costs associated with cuttings disposal in remote areas where there are no existing facilities integrated management of the drilling mud cleaning system and its associated
residuals will help drive decisions on employing the most practicable waste reduction techniques.
5.1 Key drivers

Identify the key drivers for any measurement and reporting before developing a reporting plan. Key
items to consider when developing a plan for measurement, tracking, performance and reporting
include:
1. Identify the drivers and goals for reporting. How will the information be used?
2. Determine the audience for the reports. Will the reporting be internal only? Will some of it
be shared externally?
3. Establish the scope of reporting. What will be included in the reporting? For example, will
there be a focus on just certain types of waste (such as drilling waste), or broader categories
(such as non-hazardous wastes or restricted wastes)?
4. Structure the reports to meet legal and corporate requirements. How will the categories of
waste reported be defined; using the locally applicable regulatory definitions, or some uniform
company or external set of definitions?
5. Establish separate reporting data categories for non-disposal options. Will some items be
excluded from the definition of waste such as materials being reused/recycled or items covered
under permitted discharges?
6. Agree on the frequency of data collection. How often will the data be collected and over what
averaging period? For example monthly, quarterly and/or yearly.
7. Establish the accountability for reporting. Who, within the organisation, will be in charge of
collecting and reporting data, and who will establish the tool that will be used for collection/
analysis of the data, for example, spreadsheets or databases?
5.2 Planning and timeline

The amount of effort that will be required to plan, coordinate and implement an enterprise-wide
reporting system should not be underestimated. Participation and input from all affected areas of
the company will improve success and smoothness of implementation.
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5.3 Good practice

The foregoing describes passive monitoring. For more proactive monitoring operators can look to
obtain information that informs management on compliance and avoiding future potential liability
costs. For example, implementation of random internal audits and sampling to verify, for example,
that the inert waste disposal facility next to a community does indeed contain only inert material.
Other examples may be an integrated approach to steer the employment of waste reduction techniques, such as:
The use of waste generation information for trend analysis to determine whether one shift
produces more waste than another and thus requires more training or,
A particular machine generates more waste-oil therefore needing maintenance or,
The inert waste generated from the site office is mainly plastic cups and, therefore, cost reductions may be gained through use of ceramic mugs.
Another area may look actively to the potential for diverting waste streams, for example, collecting
information on the spent waste cement produced in drilling operations to see if it can be used locally
by the block manufacturing company.
An example of a waste tracking sheet is given in Appendix 2.
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6 Summary
These guidelines identify a series of management tools to develop and implement good oil and
gas field waste management practices. In presenting the waste hierarchy it recognizes that the best
approach to waste management is not to generate waste in the first place. This means designing and
operating facilities so that there are no materials surplus to requirements.
Useful tools and practices for waste reduction and elimination are identified. Finally, guidelines
are provided on how to treat, manage and dispose of waste responsibly, where generation cannot be
eliminated.
The management options discussed show how waste management considerations can be integrated
with other project demands through the oil and gas project development life cycle (as shown by the
OGP tool e-SHRIMP). In addition, these guidelines identify management techniques in a series of
tables that can be used to drive effective waste management within operating companies and their
associated contractors. These include (when appropriate): environmental impact assessment; risk
assessment; community out-reach programs; and capacity building in the form of training, contractor development, and the building of new facilities. A key message is that good oil and gas field waste
management practices often differ between locations. Specific waste management practices depend
on the amount and characteristics of the wastes that must be handled, the sensitivity of the environment; technological constraints and recycling opportunities; mitigation measures needed to manage
risk, and local regulations.
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Appendix 1
Relevant OGP publications
20
Ref
Publication Title
Date
389
e-SHRIMP report
June 2007
364
Fate and effects of naturally occurring substances in produced water on the marine
environment
Feb 2005
342
Environmental aspects of the use and disposal of non aqueous drilling fluids
associated with offshore oil and gas operations
May 2003
332
Key questions in managing social issues in oil & gas projects
Oct 2002
324
Aromatics in produced water occurrence, fate and effects, and treatments
Jan 2002
302
Guidelines for produced water injection
Jan 2000
285
Monitoring oil in produced water discharged into the sea: a review of current and
emerging practices
Jan 1999
271
Aqueous discharges in the North Sea: an update from the E&P industry
Jan 1998
202
The physical and biological effects of processed oily drill cuttings
Apr 1996
187
Guidelines for the planning of downhole injection programmes for oil based mud
wastes and associated cuttings from offshore wells
Oct 1993
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Appendix 2
Example of a waste tracking sheet

Figure 3 Waste Manifest Form
Part A To be completed by GENERATOR
Source Site Location
GPS coordinates and/or kilometre
post mark or other location
descriptor (use attachment(s) as
necessary):
Handling/disposition
Units
Quantity received
Container type
No. containers
received
Handling/disposition
Type
No.
Container
Hazard
Waste type
Waste description
(use attachment(s) as necessary)
Units, e.g. tonnes
Receiver use only (Part C)
Quantity shipped
Origin of waste:
Generator additional information:

e.g. condition of container,
requirement to return empty
containers
Intended receiver: Company Waste Management Facility Third Party Facility
Include facility (company) name, full address, telephone number and name of contact individual
Certification
I declare that the information I have provided in Part A is correct and complete
Name (print):
Signature:
Date (DD/MM/YY):
Telephone:
Fax:
24-hr Emergency
Generators address: (this is the address to which the Receiver is to send the Waste Manifest Forms to)
Part B To be completed by TRANSPORTER

Name of Transporter: (Include company name, full address, telephone number and name of contact individual)
Certification
I declare that I have received the wastes as described in Part A for delivery to the Intended Receiver
and that the information in Part B is correct and complete.
Name (print):
Signature:
Date (DD/MM/YY):
Telephone:
Fax:
24-hr Emergency
Part C To be completed by RECEIVER

Date received (DD/MM/YY):
Intended receiver? (see Part A) Yes No
Receiving location: Company Waste Management Facility Third Party Facility

include facility (company) name, full address, telephone number and name of contact individual
Receiver additional information: e.g. condition of container, requirement to return empty containers
Certification
Except for the irregularities/discrepancies noted above, I declare that I have received the wastes as
described in Part A and that the information in Part C is correct and complete.
Name (print):
Signature:
Date (DD/MM/YY):
Telephone:
Fax:
24-hr Emergency
Part D To be completed by GENERATOR

Name of Authorised Person (print):
Signature:
2008 OGP
Date (DD/MM/YY):
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Appendix 3
An overview of the oil & gas exploration and production process

Extracted from OGP Report 196 Exploration & Production waste management guidelines
In order to appreciate the potential impacts of oil and gas development upon the environment, one
should understand the activities involved. This Appendix briefly describes the oil and gas exploration and production process. The guidance in this document addresses only the waste management
aspects of these activities. In order to fully understand the range of environmental impacts associated with these activities, reference should be made to other guidelines and documents listed in
Appendix 1.
In the following discussions, common wastes are listed for each activity. A more detailed listing of
waste definitions is provided in Appendix 6.
A3.1 Seismic Identification of potential hydrocarbon reserves

In the first stage of the search for hydrocarbon-bearing rock formations, geological maps are reviewed
to identify major sedimentary basins. Aerial photography may be used to identify promising landscape formations such as faults or anticlines. More detailed information is then assembled using a
field geological assessment, followed by one or more of three main survey methods: magnetic, gravimetric and seismic. Of these a seismic survey is the most common and is often the first field activity
undertaken.
Description
Seismic surveys require the generation of acoustic waves at specified points along a relatively straight
survey line. The acoustic waves are reflected by changes in the subsurface geological strata. The
reflections are detected by many sensors arranged along several kilometres of the survey line (over
several square kilometres in the case of a 3D survey) and recorded. Line preparation may involve cutting vegetation prior to surveying the data point and sensor locations. As recording progresses along
the survey line onshore, the sensors are moved to new positions along the survey line by crews using
vehicles or helicopters. The data are processed by computer to map the underlying strata and help
define the size and shape of any geologic structure worthy of further investigation.
Several methods are available to generate the acoustic waves. These include the use of shot holes,
Vibroseis techniques, or air or water guns. The shot hole method involves the detonation of small
explosive charges placed in small diameter holes drilled to a depth generally ranging from one to
thirty metres. In the Vibroseis method, a group of three to five heavy vehicles (vibrators) lower and
then vibrate a heavy pad at specific points on the surface. Air or water guns create the acoustic waves
used for the survey by releasing compressed air or water to create loud sonic vibrations.
Because land seismic activities are highly mobile, base camps are temporary in nature. In order to
protect surface water bodies, sanitary pits and biodegradable garbage pits should be at least 100
metres from the water, if possible. Non-biodegradable, flammable wastes may be burned and the
ashes buried with the non-flammable wastes. This burial should be at least one metre deep. If the
area water table is high, burial criteria should be reconsidered.
Common wastes
The primary wastes from seismic operations include domestic waste, sewage, explosive wastes, lines,
cables and vehicle (including ship) maintenance wastes.
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A3.2 Exploratory Drilling

Once a promising geological structure has been identified, the only way to confirm the presence of
hydrocarbons and the thickness and internal pressure of a reservoir is to drill exploratory boreholes
(wells).
The location of a drill site is dependent upon the characteristics of the underlying geological formations. Modern drilling techniques allow some flexibility in choice of location, allowing consideration
of both environmental protection and logistical needs, while still reaching reservoir development
objectives.
Description
A site is constructed to accommodate drilling operations and support services. Offshore, a drilling
barge, semi-submersible drilling rig, or a drilling ship is used to provide all of the functions associated with drilling the well. On land, a typical one-hole exploration site occupies between 5000 and
20,000 square metres. The type of site construction is dependent on seasonal constraints and geography. Drilling rigs and support equipment are normally divided into modules to facilitate transportation. Depending on access roads, site location and module size and weight, drilling rigs may be
moved by land, air or water transportation.
Once on site, the rig and a self-contained support camp are assembled. Typical modules include a
derrick, drilling mud handling equipment, power generators and cementing equipment. The camp
provides workforce accommodation, canteen facilities, communications, vehicle maintenance and
parking areas, a helipad (for remote sites), fuel handling and storage areas, and provision for collection, treatment and disposal of wastes.
Once drilling commences, drilling fluid or mud is continuously circulated down the drill pipe and
back to the surface equipment to balance underground hydrostatic pressure, cool and lubricate the
bit and flush out rock cuttings. The risk of uncontrolled flow from the reservoir to the surface is further reduced by using blowout preventers, a series of hydraulically actuated steel rams that can close
around the drill string or casing to quickly seal off a well. Steel casing is run into completed sections
of the borehole and cemented into place. The casing and cement provide structural support to maintain the integrity of the borehole, isolate underground formations and protect useable underground
sources of water. Where a hydrocarbon formation is found, initial well tests are conducted to establish flow rates, formation pressure and the physical and chemical characteristics of the oil and gas.
Common wastes
The primary wastes from exploratory drilling operations include drilling muds and cuttings, cementing wastes, well completion, workover and stimulation fluids and production testing wastes. Other
wastes include excess drilling chemicals and containers, construction materials (pallets, wood, etc),
process water, fuel storage containers, power unit/transport maintenance wastes, scrap metal and
domestic and sewage wastes.
A3.3 Construction
Construction of some infrastructure and facilities will be required to support activities.
Description
Construction of facilities such as roads, camps, canals and pipelines may be required both before
and during the development and production process. The construction process may use a wide variety of materials, equipment and methods. The facilities required for a specific activity will depend
on the activity and its geographic location.
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Common wastes
The primary wastes from construction activities include excess construction materials, used lubricating oils, paints, solvents, scrap metal, sewage and domestic wastes.
A3.4 Development and production

Development and production operations are conducted to extract oil and gas from underground
reservoirs.
Description
A small reservoir may be developed using one or more of the exploratory wells. Further development
of the reservoir may require additional wells. A production facility may be required to separate, store
and transport produced fluids. The size and type of the installations needed for storing, separating and transporting oil, gas and water will depend on the nature and location of the reservoir, the
volume and nature of produced fluids and the export option selected. These options include transport by road, waterway, pipeline or some combination of these.
Routine operations on a producing well include monitoring, safety and security inspections and
periodic downhole servicing using a wire line unit or a workover rig. In some areas, a self-contained
base camp may be established to support routine operations. The base camp provides workforce
accommodation, communications, vehicle maintenance and parking, fuel handling and storage and
provision for collection, treatment and disposal of wastes.
The operator will be able to extract only a portion of the oil present using natural pressure and simple
pumping. A range of enhanced recovery methods, including waterflood, gas injection and methods
employing chemicals, gases or heat may be used to increase the efficiency of oil production.
Common wastes
In addition to the wastes listed in sections 3.2, 3.3 and 3.5, the main wastes from development and
production operations include produced water, flare and vent gas, production chemicals, workover
wastes, eg brines, and tank or pit bottoms.
A3.5 Maintenance
Maintenance of vehicles, mechanical equipment and infrastructure may be required for operations
of extended duration.
Description
Maintenance activities are common to all phases of the exploration and production process. During
seismic and construction activities, maintenance is essentially limited to vehicle repair and inspection. Exploratory drilling maintenance activities include vehicle and drilling rig repair and inspection. Maintenance activities during development and production include repair and inspection of
vehicles, generators, drilling rigs, workover rigs, fluid process equipment and infrastructure.
Common wastes
The primary wastes associated with maintenance activities include batteries, used lubricants, filters,
hoses, tyres, paints, solvents, impacted soil, coolant and antifreeze chemicals, used parts and scrap
metals.
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A3.6 Decommissioning
Oil and gas installations are decommissioned at the end of their commercial life.
Description
Decommissioning generally involves permanently plugging and abandoning all wells, and may
include removal of buildings and equipment, transfer of buildings and roads to local communities
or host government entities, implementation of measures to encourage site re-vegetation and site
monitoring.
Common wastes
The primary wastes from decommissioning and reclamation include construction materials, insulating materials, plant equipment, sludges and impacted soil.
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Appendix 4
Waste handling, treatment and disposal methods

Some of the treatment and disposal methods that may be used for E&P wastes are described here.
The range of treatments described is not intended as exhaustive; the omission of a particular management option from the list discussed here is not meant to imply that it cannot be effective. Certainly,
as research on waste management progresses, additional options will be identified. The appendix
does not address options for reduction, re-use or recycling that are discussed as part of the hierarchy
section in the body of the guidelines.
A4.1 Biological treatment

Biological treatment methods are among the most practicable methods for managing E&P waste.
Biodegradation is a natural process by which hydrocarbons and other organic materials are consumed by microorganisms (such as bacteria and fungi) that utilise these materials as a food source.
Before beginning a biological treatment operation, one should consider several site-specific parameters to determine the feasibility of successfully bio-treating the wastes
Of the biological treatment methods described below, land-farming and land-treatment may be considered disposal options as well as treatment options.
Waste materials that can be land-farmed, land-treated and composted successfully include:

Oily sludges tank bottoms and pit sludges.

Oil impacted soils.
Drilling wastes drill cuttings or muds verify that the type of oil used is biodegradable.
Waste biological solids.
Waste can be liquid, semi-solid, or solid, but must not contain materials that are toxic to microorganisms in the concentrations applied.
Wastes not suitable for biological treatment include:

Motor oil, hydraulic oils and solvents.

Wastes containing NORM.
High salinity wastes.
Spent acids/alkalis.
Factors to consider when choosing a biological treatment option

Regulations is the method chosen allowed by local regulators, do you need a permit, what are
the treatment goals?
Can cleanup target levels be met?
Are the wastes biodegradable? Not all crude oils/wastes are amendable to biodegradation. The
waste needs to be characterised to determine the types of components (hydrocarbons, metals,
salts, etc) present. Other constituents should also be evaluated as they can affect the selection of
the treatment pH, salinity, NORM.
Characterise the soil and site conditions.
Evaluate soil texture, water holding capacity and nutrient levels.
Determine the availability of water, ambient temperatures and wind conditions.
Determine distance to ground water, surface water and populated areas.
Start-up considerations, operating procedures, equipment and monitoring needs, and final disposal options.
For composting, the availability and cost associated with bulking materials (manure, tree waste,
wood chips etc) and nutrients will need to be considered.
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There are several areas where risk-based decision-making can be applied in biological treatment
methods. Where regulations do not dictate the design and operation of biological treatment processes, risk assessment can be used to:
Establish treatment targets for oil content or specific constituent concentrations.
Assess the need for engineered liner material in construction of biological processes.
Determine if and where reuse of the treated residual materials is feasible.
A4.1.1 Land-farming
In land-farming facilities, waste is periodically re-applied to a receiving soil so that naturally occurring microorganisms present in the soil can biodegrade the hydrocarbon constituents. The landfarming area is periodically tilled to provide the necessary mixing and oxygen transfer. Active
land-farming includes the addition of water, nutrients and other materials to enhance the biodegradation process in the waste/soil mixture, and to prevent the development of conditions that might
promote leaching and mobilisation of inorganic contaminants. The conditions under which degradation takes place are typically aerobic. Volatilisation and dilution are two other important mechanisms for reduction of degradation products in land applications of waste. Land-farming should
not be confused with land-filling or burial, in which the waste is deposited in man-made or natural
excavations for an indefinite period of time.
The accumulation of non-biodegradable constituents such as metals, salts and high molecular weight
hydrocarbons such a polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is an important consideration. The effects
of accumulated metals, salts and heavy hydrocarbons can be evaluated on a site-specific basis by
performing a risk assessment.
Considerations for the application of land-farming should also include the site topography and
hydrology, and the physical and chemical composition of the waste and resultant waste/soil mixture.
Waste application rates should be controlled to reduce the possibility of run-off. When a facility
is properly designed, operated and monitored, land-farming is usually a relatively practicable and
simple technique. Land-farms may require government permits or approval and, depending on soil
conditions, may require a liner and/or groundwater monitoring wells. Moisture control to reduce
dust (particulates) may also be necessary during extended dry conditions.
A landfarm facility designed for long-term operation will produce a treated residue that may need to
be removed once the target concentrations are reached. When feasible, beneficial reuse of the treated
soil is desirable to eliminate the cost and consumption of landfill space. Reuse options for landfarm
residual materials can include road base, fill material, and tank berms. Risks associated with reuse of
the treated material can be assessed in addition to evaluating the mechanical properties (if appropriate for final application of material) of the final product.
A4.1.2 Land treatment

Land treatment methods include land-spreading, bio-treatment units and in-situ bio-treatment.
These methods differ from land-farming in that they are a single treatment event rather than
repeated applications of oily wastes. This practice reduces the potential for the accumulation of
waste components in the soil, as might be the case in land-farming sites that receive multiple applications of wastes. In land-treatment as in land-farming, aerobic biodegradation of hydrocarbons may
be enhanced by nutrient addition to the waste/soil mixture and by periodic tillage of the mixture to
increase aeration. This method is most often used at sites that will not be producing wastes on a longterm basis, continuous basis such as drilling sites. Before land-spreading, free oil should be removed
from the waste. For E&P wastes, salts and hydrocarbons are most frequently the components that
limit the application rate of a waste on a site. Characterisation of a waste and treatability studies
can be used to determine whether land treatment may be implemented effectively.
Construction of a containment system (liners) or monitoring of leachates from the site is seldom
required for land spreading sites. However, site topography and hydrology, and the physical and
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chemical composition of the waste and resultant waste/soil mixture should still be assessed and
waste application rates controlled to reduce the possibility of run-off.
Land treatment can be considered in the following situations:

Large land areas are available.

Groundwater is very deep or an impermeable barrier can be constructed easily.
Starting oil concentrations are typically <5% in soil.
Long treatment times are not an issue landfarming may be appropriate.
One-time application of wastes applies to land treatment only.
A4.1.3 Composting
Methods include: static/passive aeration piles (biopiles) (ht. ~9-10 ft), windrows (ht. ~3-4 ft) and
forced aeration piles
Composting can be considered in the following situations:
Land space is limited.
Climate is cold (piles conserve heat) and the growing season is less than three to four months.
Oil concentrations are high - starting oil concentrations can be up to 15% in soil. Bulking agents
and nutrients are typically required.
Control of volatiles is required.
Fast biodegradation rates are required.
Management of food wastes and residuals (land-farming and land-treatment operations typically do not produce the high temperatures needed to destroy pathogens).
Composting is a biological treatment technique similar to land treatment. Biodegradation rates are
enhanced by improving porosity, aeration, moisture content and operating temperature. Treatment
times can be as short as one month, or as long as one year depending upon the starting oil concentration and oil composition. As a general rule, the starting oil concentration should be less than 15%.
Characteristics of composting are:
Waste is mixed with bulking agents eg wood chips, straw, rice hulls or husks, to provide increased
porosity and aeration potential. Care should be taken to confirm that the bulking agent provides sufficient porosity to allow aeration even at high moisture levels.
Manure or agricultural wastes may be added to increase the water holding capacity of the waste/
media mixture and to provide nutrients.
Nitrogen and phosphorus-based fertilisers may be added to enhance microbial activity.
Micro-organisms capable of degrading petroleum occur naturally in oily wastes, soil and bulking
agents; therefore there is no reason to add inoculums or commercial bug products to compost. Mixtures of the waste, soil and other additives are formed into small or large piles, the precise dimensions are dependent upon the aeration method used eg static piles/passive aeration, or mechanically
mixed, and the availability of land.
The compost mixture moisture should be maintained at 80% of field capacity or approximately
25-50% weight percent to provide optimal moisture conditions for biodegradation. Compost systems are characterised by elevated temperatures (30-70C) within the compost mixture. Temperature may be controlled by forced aeration, or by tilling the soil pile initially once a week or whenever
the compost temperature reaches ~50-60C.
As with landfarming, beneficial reuse of the composted material is desirable to eliminate the cost
and consumption of landfill space. Risks associated with reuse of the composted material can be
assessed.
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A4.2 Thermal treatment

Thermal treatment is useful for primarily organic compounds but can also process other wastes.
There are several types of thermal treatment technologies, but incineration and reuse as fuel (fuel
blending) are the most applicable ones for the wastes considered in this guidance.
Risk-based decision-making can be applied to certain aspects of thermal treatment. Risk assessments
can be used to evaluate:
Siting and design of the facility to mitigate potential air quality, soil and groundwater impacts.
Treatment targets for treated waste materials.
Reuse or disposals options for the treated residual or ash generated by the thermal process.
A4.2.1 Incineration
Incineration is a high temperature combustion/oxidation process in which organic wastes are converted into gases and solid residue. Incineration objectives usually include reducing toxicity and
volume prior to disposal of solid residues. Proper incineration can be very efficient but also very
expensive. Air pollution control equipment is typically required, or should at least be considered
based on a risk-management approach. Additional treatment may be necessary for metals and salts
in treated solid residues, depending on the final fate of the waste.
In E&P operations, incineration in an engineered system may be an appropriate option for materials like medical waste, solid waste refuse and some types of waste from operational activities. Proper
incineration of sludges and liquid wastes is much more complex than for solid waste.
There are a number of incinerator types and selection will depend on a number of factors. Units typically most appropriate to support E&P operations range from relatively simple static chamber units
to more complex rotary kilns and associated air pollution control systems range from secondary gas
combustion chambers to more complex air pollution control systems that also reduce particulate
emissions and combustion gasses such as sulphur oxides. Incineration of liquids or sludges almost
always requires systems that are significantly more complex than those for solid wastes.
The evaluation of Incinerator technology should be undertaken by suitably qualified and experienced specialists. The design must take into account that exhaust gas temperature, air supply, turbulence and residence times are sufficient to achieve the desired level of waste treatment performance.
Particular consideration should be given to the following factors:

Chemical and physical nature and quantity of waste to be treated.

Regulatory requirements.
Site selection.
Risk and cost factors compared to alternatives.
Design and operating requirements, including operating complexity and maintainability.
Process and environmental monitoring requirements.
Air pollution control measures necessary to prevent adverse impacts.
Disposal requirements for treated residues.
Certain wastes should not normally be considered for incineration unless the necessary pollution
control equipment is available. This includes wastes containing significant concentrations of arsenic,
mercury, chlorine, fluorine, bromine, iodine and lead. Metals will not be destroyed by incineration
and will either be present in the gas stream or remain in ashes and residues. The presence of concentrated metals in solid residues might also trigger requirements for their stabilisation prior to land
disposal.
Certain other wastes can pose serious combustion problems, for example:
Explosives.
Waste in drums which cannot, for one reason or another, be opened, shredded and emptied.
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Extremely, or spontaneously, flammable materials. Where possible, these should be diluted or

treated at source to reduce the risks of premature ignition.
Extremely toxic materials that can pose severe restraints on the methods of handling and treatment of the materials prior to thermal treatment.
The volume of waste from a single operator may not be high enough to justify operation of an E&P
site incinerator, but contract operation of a regional facility that manages waste from multiple area
operators can sometimes be a practicable alternative, especially when used for liquid and sludge
wastes.
Solid and liquid residues from the incineration process can contain constituents that may need to
be treated with appropriate caution. These residues can include slag from the furnace, fly ash and
liquids from the gas cleaning plant. Liquids may need to be treated to remove certain constituents
of concern before discharge or re-use. Solids can either be recycled or disposed of. Recycling could
include, for example, their incorporation into concrete. Care should be taken not to impair the quality of the concrete and to confirm that constituents of concern are properly bound into the matrix.
Disposal should be carried out in an environmentally sound manner, having proper regard to the
materials generated, and wherever feasible reducing unwanted constituents by pre-treatment.
A4.2.2 Fuel blending

Many hydrocarbon residuals, such as those separated and recovered from produced water streams,
can be reused as fuel. This sometimes requires a blending step to remove impurities and adjust physical properties to achieve appropriate fuel specifications.
One of the simplest ways to reuse hydrocarbons as fuel involves recycling the oil recovered from
separations of waste generated by E&P or downhole operations by blending them into the produced oil stream. From there, they again become part of the produced oil stream and are subject to
conversion by downstream refining processes into fuels.
A cement kiln, when available, is usually an attractive and less expensive alternative to incineration
of E&P oily wastes that are not suitable for reintroduction into the produced oil stream. Oily or
solvent based (paint) waste may go into a fuel blending programme to replace fuel otherwise needed
to fire the kiln. The retention time and temperature (typically 1400 to 1500C) within a cement
kiln are adequate to achieve thermal destruction of organics. Cement kilns may also have pollution
control devices to reduce air emissions from the process. The ash from wastes combusted in the kiln
will become incorporated into the cement matrix. These ashes may provide a desirable source of
aluminium, silica, clay and other minerals that are typically added in the cement raw material feed
stream.
A4.2.3 Thermal desorption

A thermal desorption system is a non-oxidising process using heat to desorb oil from oily wastes.
Most thermal systems burn fuel to provide heat to volatilise the oil, but there are some systems that
use electric or electro-magnetic energy for heat. Thermal desorption systems are generally of two
types: low temperature systems and high temperature systems. The working temperature of lowtemperature systems is usually 250 to 350C, while high temperature systems may employ temperatures up to 520C. Low temperature systems may be sufficient to treat wastes with light oils. High
temperature systems will be able to achieve lower final oil contents for wastes containing heavier
oils.
Thermal desorption of waste streams will produce various secondary waste streams: solids, water
condensate, oil condensate and possibly steam from the condenser. Each of these streams may require
analysis to determine its characteristics so that the best recycle/disposal option can be chosen. This is
important if the original waste had high salts or metals levels, or if there are no wastewater treatment
facilities on site, since additional treatment may be required to reduce the potential for environmental impact from these streams. In the case of air emissions, analysis may suggest that air control
measures be employed to capture certain constituents.
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A4.2.4 Open burning

Sometimes, open burning is used to dispose of small amounts of material for which there are no
re-use or recycling options and/or where the transportation of wastes is unsafe due to poor infrastructure. Open burning is lower on the waste management hierarchy than other treatment and
disposal methods. It may therefore be considered a less preferable option. However, in the circumstances described above and where regulations permit, burning may be conducted in approved areas
in daylight hours and should not cause a nuisance.
A4.3 Chemical treatment

Chemical treatment processes are those in which materials are altered by chemical reactions. The
chemical reactions can improve or enhance a separation/filtration process or, in some cases, create a
product that is in a more convenient form for further processing or disposal.
A4.3.1 Neutralisation
One of the simplest detoxification processes is neutralisation. Neutralisation consists of adding an
acid or base to a waste in order to adjust its pH. Neutralisation is a chemical reaction in which an
acid and a base or alkali (soluble base) react and produce a salt and water. As an example, this treatment method can be used to neutralise battery acids, certain types of drum rinses/wastes, acid and
caustics.
Neutralisation can be applied to any waste stream or wastewater requiring pH control. It is commonly used prior to biological treatment since bacteria are sensitive to rapid pH changes and values
outside a pH range of 6 to 9. Neutralisation, or pH adjustment, may also be required prior to discharge of treated wastewater to a receiving stream. Neutralisation is also used as a pre-treatment
for several chemical treatment technologies, including carbon adsorbtion, ion exchange and chemical oxidation/reduction processes. It is also useful in breaking emulsions and precipitating certain
organic materials.
Neutralisation of certain wastes has the potential of producing air emissions. Acidification of
streams containing certain salts, such as sulphide, will produce toxic gases. Feed tanks should be
totally enclosed to prevent escape of acid fumes. Adequate mixing should be provided to dissipate
the heat of reaction if wastes being treated are concentrated. The process should be controlled from
a remote location if possible.
A4.3.2 Solidification/Stabilisation
Chemical fixation (or solidification/stabilisation) technologies can be broken down into three classes
of systems, solidification, chemical fixation and solidification and sorption. Solidification refers to
those techniques that reduce the hazard potential of a waste by converting the contaminants into
their least soluble, mobile, or toxic form. Solidification refers to techniques that encapsulate the
wastes into a solid of high structural integrity.
Typically, a combination of Portland cement and other chemicals such as slag, fly ash, silicate and
lime is added to the waste. In general, these processes produce dry solids, either monolith or dry
granular solid similar to coarse soil.
These types of processes can reduce the mobility of unwanted substances and seeks to trap or immobilise contaminants within their host medium (ie the soil, sand and/or building material that contain
them). Leachability testing is typically performed to measure the immobilisation of contaminants.
Solidification/Stabilisation can be used alone or combined with other treatment and disposal methods to yield a product or material suitable for land disposal, or in other cases, that can be applied to
beneficial use.
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Factors to consider when choosing this waste management option include, but are not limited to
the following:
Regulatory requirements.
Process type and processing requirements.
Chemical and Physical characteristics of the waste:
Depending on the type of waste, cement based systems have limitations - they may not work
with elevated organic levels; when there is less than 15% solids; and if there are excessive
quantities of fine soil particles or too many large particles present.
Elevated oil and salt content can be a problem.
pH levels need to be closely controlled for some types of technologies to be effective. Elevated pH levels or high total alkalinity can pose a problem if the wastes are subsequently
land-applied or used as a soil supplement.
Treatment objectives.
A4.4 Physical treatment

Physical treatment processes are characterised by the ability to separate the various phases of a waste
without performing any chemical reaction or changing the chemistry of the mixture. Phase separation, such as separating solids from liquids or oil from water, is useful in concentrating constituents
or removing free liquids to render a waste suitable for land disposal. By concentrating the material,
additional treatment can be done more economically or conveniently, or recycling/reuse options
may be possible. Typical treatments utilised in this waste management process include evaporation,
gravity separation and centrifugation.
A4.4.1 Evaporation
Evaporation reduces the volume of a liquid or a saturated material by transforming the liquid into a
vapour. It can be used to concentrate liquors, as an effective final disposal or to dry solids/sludges. As
a selected means of waste treatment, evaporation is usually restricted to the evaporation of water. It
is seldom appropriate from an Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) or legal perspective to use
evaporation for disposal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) unless absorptive material is present
to trap the evaporate.
Lagoons in its most simple form evaporation is undertaken in lagoons using the energy from the
sun to drive the process of vaporisation. The principal problems with this low-technology approach
are: very slow rates of evaporation; dependence on climate; large land area requirement; potential
need for a significant construction effort; and expensive liners. Lagoons can create health, safety and
environmental problems such as odour and risks to wildlife and people. Another key environmental
factor is the consequence of any loss of containment which excludes some sites as possible lagoon
locations.
An important design consideration for lagoon construction is the management of sediment deposits. Some of the questions to consider at the evaluation stage are the probability of liner damage if an
excavator is used and what will the consequences be, and where will the sediment finally be disposed
of. Conversely, if the lagoon is designed to leave sediment in place what is the risk that it is filled with
wind-blown dust negating the planned objective?
Evaporators Forced Air Evaporators utilise blowers to force air in a counter current to a free falling spray of water within a column. It is practicable and highly efficient when the waste stream to
be evaporated is preheated by another process and does not contain VOCs that will be emitted to
the atmosphere. Factors to consider are the need to preheat wastewater, cost, the risk of creating air
emissions if VOCs are present and poor suitability for wastewaters with a high solids content.
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The factors to consider for evaporators are: pre-treatment needs, energy cost, risk of vaporising
VOCs, component damage from salts and acids, the need to dispose of highly concentrated slurries
and the risk of a system running dry resulting in meltdown.
Sludge drying beds typically these might be seen as outdoor sand bed filters as sludge water is
dewatered by two mechanisms (i) the open surface area to allow for evaporation and (ii) gravity as
the filtrate settles through the sand bed and is collected in under drains. Facilities without filtration
are commonly called sludge lagoons.
As with evaporation lagoons sludge lagoons are most successful in dry climates with high evaporation rates, need a large land area and usually require isolation from existing soils and groundwater.
A4.4.2 Gravity separation

Gravity separation is primarily used to treat two-phase aqueous wastes such as oil in water emulsions/sludges. For efficient separation, the non-aqueous phase should have a significantly different
specific gravity than water and should be present as a non-emulsified substance. Emulsion between
water and oil is common, and achieving gravity separation may require pretreatment using heat, pH
adjustment, or an emulsion-breaking chemical. It is usually desirable to keep separator design small
and simple to reduce cost.
A variation of the simple oil/water separator is the coalescing plate and corrugated plate separator,
both of which significantly increase the surface area for oil to coalesce.
Gravity separation offers a straightforward, effective means of phase separation, provided the oil and
water phases separate adequately within the residence time of the tank. Operational requirements
are minimal. If heat, pH adjustment, or emulsion-breaking chemicals must be added to promote
separation, laboratory tests should be periodically conducted to provide adequate and/or optimal
treatment levels.
Consideration must also be given to the disposal of the extracted waste materials collected. For gravity separation processes, this material includes any immiscible oil, in addition to the separated oil
and wastewater streams.
A4.4.3 Centrifugation
Centrifugation is an extension of gravity settling, where centrifugal forces are introduced by changes
in angular velocity when the waste is spun in a circular motion. From a treatment point of view, centrifugation is more efficient than gravity settling since acceleration produced by mechanical means
can far exceed gravity. However, from an energy point of view, the energy input is prohibitive unless
the waste is highly concentrated. Capital and operating cost can be high, particularly in remote locations or where there is little economy of scale. Centrifuges are most often used in E&P operations
for dewatering/de-oiling tank-cleaning or gravity separator sludges.
Centrifugation is technically and economically competitive with other sludge dewatering processes,
specifically vacuum filtration and filter presses. The advantage of centrifugation over these processes
is that centrifugation is more capable of dewatering sticky, gelatinous sludge. Disadvantages include
that it is non-selective in separating components from each other. Also, there is a relatively high
maintenance cost when processing abrasive materials. Finally, as this is a physical separation process,
centrifugation is not capable of destroying or chemically altering hazardous materials, though it can
be an effective means to enable further treatment, recovery/recycle or secure disposal of oily waste
streams.
A4.5 Waste-specific treatment

Several waste-specific treatment technologies that have particular relevance for E&P operations are
highlighted below.
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A4.5.1 Non-incineration treatment for medical waste

An appropriately designed and operated incinerator can render medical wastes safe for managed
landfills. However, medical wastes can often be treated effectively by simpler and less costly methods
than incineration.
Low heat-thermal processes typically autoclave or microwave systems and chemical processes are
used to manage potentially infectious wastes associated with medical clinics supporting E&P operations in areas that are remote or have inadequate infrastructure.
In general, low-heat thermal technologies operate between 93 and 177C. Wet heat treatment
involves the use of steam to disinfect and sterilise waste, and is commonly done in an autoclave.
Microwave treatment is essentially a steam disinfection process, since water is added to the waste
and destruction of micro-organisms occurs through the action of moist heat and steam generated by
microwave energy. In dry heat processes, no water or steam is added. Instead, the waste is heated by
conduction, natural or forced convection and/or thermal radiation using infrared heaters.
Chemical processes employ disinfectants such as dissolved chlorine dioxide, bleach (sodium
hypochlorite), peracetic acid, or dry inorganic chemicals. To enhance exposure of the waste to the
chemical agent, chemical processes often involve shredding, grinding, or mixing. In liquid systems,
the waste may go through a dewatering section to remove and recycle the disinfectant. Besides
chemical disinfectants, there are also encapsulating compounds that can solidify sharps, blood, or
other body fluids within a solid matrix prior to disposal.
Mechanical destruction can render the waste unrecognisable and is used to destroy needles and
syringes to render them unusable. In the case of thermal- or chemical-based processes, mechanical
devices such as shredders and mixers can also improve the rate of heat transfer or expose more surfaces to chemical disinfectants.
A mechanical process is supplementary and should not be considered a treatment process. Unless
these devices are an integral part of a closed treatment system, they should not be used before the
waste is decontaminated; otherwise, workers can be exposed to pathogens released to the environment by mechanical destruction.
A4.5.2 Wastewater treatment

Sanitary waste (sewage), domestic wastewater, industrial wastewater and some liquid waste can be
treated in a wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater treatment is the process of treating or removing
contaminants from the water and includes physical, chemical and biological processes to purify the
water and concentrate contaminants for easier disposal. Its objective is to produce a waste stream (or
treated effluent) which is of high enough quality to be reused or discharged back into the environment.
All wastewater treatment systems produce a solid waste or sludge. Sometimes these solids are suitable for reuse or discharge back into the environment. Prior to reuse or discharge, periodic testing
should confirm constituents of concern are below harmful levels, otherwise, sludges should be disposed of at proper facilities.
Typically, wastewater treatment involves three stages, called primary, secondary and tertiary treatment. First, the solids are separated from the wastewater stream and sent to disposal. This removal
may be by screening or clarification, with or without chemical enhancement. Then dissolved organic
matter is progressively converted into a solid mass using indigenous, water-borne bacteria. Finally,
the biological solids are neutralised then disposed of or re-used and the treated water may be disinfected chemically (usually with chlorine or ozone) or physically (for example by lagooning or
extended aeration). The final effluent may be of high enough quality to be discharged into a stream,
river, bay, lagoon or wetland, or it can be used for the irrigation of a golf course, greenway or park. If
it is sufficiently clean, it can also be used for groundwater recharge.
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A4.6 Waste disposal options

Multiple approaches for waste management may be appropriate, depending on local needs and the
availability of resources and technology. In any one region, site specific factors can be important in
deciding which of the available disposal options is most appropriate and may provide the best environmental benefit in a risk-based and practicable manner.
A4.6.1 Underground injection

In some locations, particularly in sensitive environments where discharges are not permitted or
where no local waste management infrastructure is available, operators may choose to inject E&P
solids like drill cuttings and sludges to underground formations. This process is known by various names, including cuttings reinjection, slurry fracture injection, slurry injection, fracture slurry
injection, drilled cuttings injection and grind and inject.
In slurry-fracture injection, solids are ground or processed into small particles and mixed with liquid
(often seawater) to make a slurry. The slurry is injected into an underground formation at pressures
high enough to fracture the rock. When the injection pressure is lowered, the liquids bleed off into
the formation while the solids remained trapped in the cracks.
The two other common forms of underground injection are annular injection (of drilled cuttings)
and injection of slurried waste or wastewater into a disposal well. Annular injection introduces the
waste slurry through the space between two casing strings (known as the annulus). At the lower
end of the outermost casing string, the slurry enters the formation. Many annular injection jobs are
designed to receive wastes from just one well. On multi-well platforms or onshore well pads, the first
well drilled may receive wastes from the second well. For each successive well, the drilling wastes are
injected into previously drilled wells. In this mode, no single injection well is used for more than a
few weeks or months.
The disposal well alternative involves injection to either a section of the drilled hole that is below all
casing strings, or to a section of the casing that has been perforated with a series of holes at the depth
of an injection formation. Injection programmes with a dedicated disposal well may inject into the
same well for months or years.
In order for underground injection of cuttings or wastewater to be practical at a particular location,
the geologic conditions beneath the site must be suitable to receive the injected material. Slurryfracture injection relies on fracturing, and the permeability of the formation receiving the injected
slurry is a key parameter in determining how readily the rock fractures, as well as the size and configuration of the fracture. When the slurry is no longer able to move through the pore spaces and
the injection pressure continues to be applied, the rocks will crack or fracture. Most annular injection jobs inject into shale or other low-permeability formations, and most dedicated injection wells
inject into high-permeability sand layers. Regardless of the type of rock selected for the injection
formation, preferred sites will be overlain by formations having the opposite permeability characteristics (high vs. low). When available, locations with alternating sequences of sand and shale are good
candidates to contain fracture growth. The geology of some areas may be unsuitable for injection
due to the presence of extensive geological faults resulting in reservoirs small in areal extent, formations that seal poorly around a well, formations that tend to fracture to the surface, or formations
with insufficient permeability or close proximity to aquifers.Problems have been observed in some
cuttings reinjection jobs. The most common problems were operations-related eg plugging of the
casing or piping because solids had settled out during or following injection; excessive erosion of
casing, tubing and other system components caused by pumping solids-laden slurry at high pressure. Environmental problems associated with reinjection are rare but are of much greater concern.
Unanticipated leakage to the environment not only creates potential environmental damage and
liability to the operator, but also generally results in a short-term to permanent stoppage of injection
at that site. Several large injection jobs have resulted in leakage to either the ground surface or the
sea floor in the case of offshore wells. The most likely cause of these leakage events is that the fracture
moved upward and laterally from the injection point and intersected a different well that had not
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35
been properly cemented or a natural geologic fault or fracture. Under the high downhole pressure,
the injected fluids seek out the pathway of least resistance. If cracks in a wells cement or geological
faults are present, the fluids may preferentially migrate upward and reach the land surface or the sea
floor. In situations involving closely-spaced wells, the potential for communication of fluids between
wells should be carefully evaluated.
A4.6.2 Landfill
A landfill is an engineered and constructed disposal unit for secure, permanent containment of large
volumes of non-liquid wastes. Land-farming and land-treatment are not considered to be landfilling.
Landfills can be natural, topographic depressions and man-made excavations formed of earthen
material. A key consideration in the operation of a landfill site is the need to provide long-term
containment. Design considerations for a landfill site should consider an appropriate combination
of the following controls:
Single or double liner Liners may be constructed of compacted clay, plastic sheeting or multilayer linings with integrated drainage systems. A liner restricts the downward or lateral migration of waste constituents.
Leachate collection and removal system typical leachate collection system includes a drainage
layer, collection pipes and a removal system.
Leak detection system.
Run-on, runoff surface runoff water should flow away from the landfill or be diverted around
it.
Provisions for landfill closure and aftercare.
Landfills are not constructed to uniform standards. Wastes should only be placed in sites that are
designed to receive and contain them. Additionally these sites should have appropriate monitoring and maintenance programmes. Landfill material should not be capable of reacting to generate
excess heat or noxious gases. Special systems may need to be installed to monitor, capture and utilise
landfill gases. Disposal sites should be operated either by the waste generator who will maintain
responsibility for its own wastes or by a properly managed third party disposal facility.
A4.6.3 On-site burial

Burial is the placement of waste in man-made or natural excavations, such as pits, on a temporary or
permanent basis.
On-site waste burial may be the preferred option, for example waste generated on exploratory drilling sites or seismic camps in remote onshore areas. Waste burial can be considered acceptable, once
the associated risks have been assessed and provisions have been made for closure and aftercare
(including records of location and content see Section 5 above).
A4.6.4 Discharge to water or land

Surface discharge is one disposal option for treated aqueous waste streams where legally permissible
(permit to discharge may be required). Factors to consider include the sensitivity and capacity of
the potential receiving environment, the concentration of potentially harmful components in the
waste and the volume of the discharge stream. For discharges to water bodies, the capacity to absorb
pollutants naturally is a function of the dilution potential and volume of the receiving water body.
In this regard, the discharge of a high volume, saline waste stream into a small creek may not be
appropriate while discharge of the same waste stream into a large water body may be acceptable. For
produced waters, the use of percolation or evaporation has been used in areas where fresh water is
not present.
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Appendix 5
Waste management options summary table

This table summarises some of the possible reduction/recycling, treatment and disposal methods
that may be applicable to a variety of wastes typically found in E&P operations.
This list is not exhaustive. The preferred reduction/recycling, treatment and disposal methods may
vary according to available facilities, local conditions and regulatory requirements. Indications in
the table that reduction options may exist do not necessarily mean that a significant reduction in
waste volume can be reasonably achieved. Similarly, indication that a treatment or disposal option
may be applicable does not necessarily mean that it will be appropriate or effective for specific waste
streams or all environments. Combinations of treatment and disposal methods may be required to
meet management objectives.
When using the following guidance, please keep in mind that it is important to understand the
chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the waste as well as the scale and frequency of
generation.
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Table 6 Waste management options summary table
Asbestos/refractory materials
Ash (combustion residues)
Battery Electrolyte
x
x
Catalysts
Chemicals Unused or Spent Chemicals and Residues
Construction and demolition material
Containers (empty) drums/barrels
Domestic wastes/trash/food wastes
Drum Rinse
Electronic & computer wastes
Filters (air/water/other)
Gas Cylinders
Glass
Glycol and Antifreeze
Hydrotest fluids
x
x
Ion exchange resins/molecular sieves
Lubricants and hydraulic fluids
x
x
x
x
x
x
Insulating materials (non-asbestos)

x
Medical waste
x
x
Paper & packaging wastes
x
x
x
Paint & other coating wastes
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Mercury-containing wastes (including fluorescent tubes)
PCBs & PCB-containing wastes
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Plastic & rubber wastes
Produced sand
x
x
Radioactive materials (not including NORM)
Refrigerants
Scrap Metal
x
x
Stranded chemicals/solvents halogenated, non-halogenated, corrosive etc
Tyres
Wastewater
After appropriate treatment as necessary.

Liquid wastes should not be placed into landfills prior to solidification.
Shredded.
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x
x
Sludge from domestic sewage treatment
38
Landfill
Discharge to Surface
Inject to sub-surface
Solidification/stabilisation
Waste water systems
Land treatment
Evaporation
Composting
Neutralisation
Disposal
Incinerate
Activated carbon
Treatment
Return
Acids/Alkalis
Use as fuel
Reclaim/reuse
Recycle
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Appendix 6
Waste definitions
Table 7 Waste definitions
Waste
Definition
Acid/Alkalis including wet cell

battery electrolytes
Waste acids/alkalis should be managed as corrosive wastes if their pH is less than 2.0 or greater
than 12.5.
Activated Carbon
Discarded charcoal and activated carbon, including filters, used and unused. May be self-heating
or pyrophoric if used in sour gas service.
Asbestos/Refractory Material
Both friable and non-friable asbestos waste containing more than 1% asbestos by weight.
Ash (combustion residues)
Residual matter from combustion. May have a pH greater than 12.5.
Battery Electrolyte
Spent nickel-cadmium, lithium, mercury-cell, and lead-acid batteries. May be corrosive or water
reactive.
Catalyst
A substance (solid, liquid, or gas) whose presence increases the rate of a chemical reaction and
may be recovered at the end of the reaction.
Chemicals Unused or Spent

Chemicals and Residues
Chemicals and additives or their residues that may no longer be used for their intended purpose
because of being spent or degraded, expired or obsolete (change in methodology).
Construction & Demolition Material
By-products of construction, maintenance, demolition activities. Most of these wastes tend to be

inert.
Containers (empty) drums, barrels
A container is empty if all material has been removed that can be removed using practices
commonly employed to remove the material from that type of container e.g., pouring, pumping,
aspirating. Containers that are not empty should be managed based on the characteristics of the
contained material.
Domestic Waste/Trash/Food
Discarded items from the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, warehouse, offices, etc. Many of these items
may be biodegradable; others will be inert.
Drum Rinse
Aqueous rinsate from steam cleaning, or rinsing containers.
Electronic and Computer Wastes
Toner cartridges, mobile phones, computers and other accessories.
Filters (gas/air, water, other)
These filters may be sock, cartridge, or canister-type filters used to remove solids and impurities.
Gas Cylinders (empty)
A cylinder is empty if all material has been removed that can be removed using practices
commonly employed.
Glycol and Antifreeze
Glycol solutions (& sludges) such as ethylene, diethylene, triethylene and tetraethylene glycol used
in dehydration or cooling.
Hydrotest Fluids
Fluids used to test pipeline integrity.
Lubricants and Hydraulic Fluids
Petroleum-based lubricating greases, motor oils and transmission oil, hydraulic fluids as well as
synthetic oils used for these same purposes. These oils may contain impurities, e.g. metals, as a
result of their use.
Medical Waste
Wastes generated by general clinical procedures including sharps. Many of these may contain
pathogens and be potentially biohazardous materials.
Mercury-Containing Wastes
Surplus mercury and devices containing mercury including fluorescent tubes.
Paper and Packaging
Paper, cardboard and wood.
Paint (and other coatings)
Liquid and semi-liquid coating and thinner wastes generated in construction and maintenance
operations.
PCB & PCB Containing Equipment
PCB oil & filled equipment.
Plastic and Rubber
Materials comprised of plastics (PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PS, etc) and rubber.
Produced Sand
Sands entrained in production fluids.
Radioactive Materials (not including

NORM)
Radioactive source materials e.g. used in logging and detection of pipeline welds, smoke
detectors and laboratory equipment.
Refrigerants
Cooling substances; any of the various halocarbon compounds consisting of carbon, hydrogen,
chlorine and fluorine e.g. chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Scrap Metal
Excess used and unused metal materials and equipment.
Sludge from Domestic Sewage

treatment
Sludge consisting of the bio mass removed to remain equilibrium in a sewage treatment unit.
Sludge Hydrocarbon
Hydrocarbon laden solids/sediments that accumulate in vessels, treatment, storage facilities

(separators, fluid treatment vessels, impoundments) and in equipment which are typically
recovered when performing maintenance/turnaround on these vessels.
Wastewater
Spent or used water with mixture of water and dissolved or suspended solids.
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Appendix 7
International provisions related to waste management

Basel Convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal.
The Basel Convention aims to protect human health and the environment against the adverse
effects resulting from the generation, management, transboundary movements and disposal of hazardous and other wastes (www.basel.int). This global convention, currently has 170 Party Countries and came into force in 1992. The Basel Convention focuses on international shipment (ie, the
trans-boundary movement) of wastes. The Basel Convention requires that notification to affected
Party Countries take place prior to exporting hazardous waste to a country, importing hazardous
wastes from a country or even crossing through a Party Country with hazardous and other wastes.
A shipment of waste by a Party Country in violation of the Basel Convention is a treaty violation
and illegal.
The Parties to the Convention adopted two significant amendments, although neither one is yet in
effect as it has not been ratified by the required number of Member countries:
Basel Ban
This is a 1995 amendment, which would prohibit the export of hazardous wastes from highly industrialised countries (members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development or
OECD countries) to non OECD countries. This Basel Ban amendment has not yet been ratified
by the required number of countries and is not yet in effect. However, European Union countries
that are members of the OECD generally have agreed to follow the Basel Ban and restrict exports of
wastes from their countries to non-OECD countries that are Basel Parties.
Liability Protocol
In 1999, a Protocol on liability and compensation for damage resulting from trans-boundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal was adopted. Again, it is not yet in effect.
It is worth noting that the Secretariat for the Basel Convention has put at top of its priorities for the
next decade the creation of partnerships with industry and research institutions to create innovative
approaches to Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of wastes.
The Basel Convention defines the categories of wastes to be controlled (Convention Annex 1) and
lists the hazardous characteristics that lead to an inherent definition of hazardous wastes for the
purpose of the Convention (Article 1.1). Many wastes from E&P activities fall under these definitions: wastes containing heavy metals, asbestos, organic solvents, PCBs, etc According to Article 3 of
the Convention, each party (State) to the convention should have a National definition of hazardous
wastes, according to the criteria mentioned above.
Obligations under the Basel Convention are obligations between the States which are Parties to the
Convention, not between an operator and a State. Nevertheless the States place on the individual
operator/general the responsibility to provide all information required by the State of Export to
notify the State of Import (information to be provided is given in Annex VB to the Convention)
about the nature of the waste and the intended shipment. A shipment of hazardous waste or other
waste must be accompanied by a movement document from the point at which a trans-boundary
movement begins to the point of disposal. Hazardous waste shipments made without such documents are illegal N.B. if shipments will occur on a regular basis, a single authorisation may be
obtained to cover repeated shipments of the same waste between the same countries for a specific
period of time. The competent authorities of the State of Export are not authorised to allow exportation of waste until the State of Import has given clearance (Article 6). In addition a number of articles in the Convention oblige national governments which have acceded to the Convention to take
The current OECD Member Countries are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and United States.
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appropriate measures to implement and enforce its provisions, including measures to prevent and
punish conduct in contravention of the Convention (Article 9). In some cases, an affected Country
may require that the operator/generator provide some form of financial assurance before a shipment
of hazardous waste may proceed.
One of the guiding principles of the Convention is that hazardous wastes should be dealt with as
close to where they are produced as possible. Under the Basel Convention, trans-boundary movements are to be allowed where the State of export does not have the capability of disposing of the
hazardous waste in an environmentally sound manner.
Among the few UN countries which are not yet members of the Convention, it is worth noting
Angola, Gabon and the United States of America (as at the time of writing these guidelines). Because
these countries are not Basel members, Basel Convention Member Countries are forbidden from
engaging in hazardous waste movements (imports, exports, in-transit movements) involving these
countries. A significant exception to this prohibition is where a Basel Member Country has an independent bilateral, multilateral or regional agreement/treaty with a non-Basel Member that allows
for the environmentally-sound management of hazardous waste, for example, the United States is
an OECD Member and therefore may engage in hazardous waste management with other OECD
countries pursuant to OECD agreements. Another example is the Bamako Convention, which aims
at protecting Africa from import of hazardous wastes. If a country that is not a Basel Member is a
member of the Bamako Treaty, the Basel Convention would allow the movement of waste between
Bamako members, consistent with the terms of the Bamako Treaty.
Additional information can be found on the official website of the Basel Convention: www.basel.
int
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Annex V A
Information to be provided on notification
Annex V B
Information to be provided on the movement document
1. Reason for waste export

2. Exporter of the waste
3. Generator(s) of the waste and site of generation
4. Disposer of the waste and actual site of disposal
5. Intended carrier(s) of the waste or their agents, if known
6. Country of export of the waste Competent authority
7. Expected countries of transit Competent authority
8. Country of import of the waste Competent authority
9. General or single notification
10. Projected date(s) of shipment(s) and period of time over which
waste is to be exported and proposed itinerary (including
point of entry and exit)
11. Means of transport envisaged (road, rail, sea, air, inland
waters)
12. Information relating to insurance
13. Designation and physical description of the waste including
Y number and UN number and its composition and
information on any special handling requirements including
emergency provisions in case of accidents
14. Type of packaging envisaged e.g. bulk, drummed, tanker
15. Estimated quantity in weight/volume
16. Process by which the waste is generated
17. For wastes listed in Annex I, classifications from Annex III:
hazardous characteristic, H number and UN class
18. Method of disposal as per Annex IV
19. Declaration by the generator and exporter that the information
is correct
20. Information transmitted (including technical description of the
plant) to the exporter or generator from the disposer of the
waste upon which the latter has based his assessment that
there was no reason to believe that the wastes will not be
managed in an environmentally sound manner in accordance
with the laws and regulations of the country of import
21. Information concerning the contract between the exporter and
disposer.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Notes
Full name and address, telephone, telex or telefax number and
the name, address, telephone, telex or telefax number of the
person to be contacted.
Full name and address, telephone, telex or telefax number.
In the case of a general notification covering several shipments,
either the expected dates of each shipment or, if this is not
known, the expected frequency of the shipments will be
required.
Information to be provided on relevant insurance requirements
and how they are met by exporter, carrier and disposer.
The nature and the concentration of the most hazardous
components, in terms of toxicity and other dangers presented
by the waste both in handling and in relation to the proposed
disposal method.
In the case of a general notification covering several shipments,
both the estimated total quantity and the estimated quantities for
each individual shipment will be required.
Insofar as this is necessary to assess the hazard and determine
the appropriateness of the proposed disposal operation.
Notes
The information required on the movement document shall where
possible be integrated in one document with that required under
transport rules. Where this is not possible the information should
complement rather than duplicate that required under the transport
rules. The movement document shall carry instructions as to who is
to provide information and fill-out any form.
Full name and address, telephone, telex or telefax number and
the name, address, telephone, telex or telefax number of the
person to be contacted in case of emergency.
Exporter of the waste

Generator(s) of the waste and site of generation
Disposer of the waste and actual site of disposal
Carrier(s) of the waste or his agent(s)
Subject of general or single notification
The date the transboundary movement started and date(s) and
signature on receipt by each person who takes charge of the
waste
7. Means of transport (road, rail, inland waterway, sea, air)
including countries of export, transit and import, also point of
entry and exit where these have been designated
8. General description of the waste (physical state, proper UN
shipping name and class, UN number, Y number and H
number as applicable)
9. Information on special handling requirements including
emergency provision in case of accidents
10. Type and number of packages
11. Quantity in weight/volume
12. Declaration by the generator or exporter that the information
is correct
13. Declaration by the generator or exporter indicating no
objection from the competent authorities of all States
concerned which are Parties
14. Certification by disposer of receipt at designated disposal
facility and indication of method of disposal and of the
approximate date of disposal.
MARPOL, the Convention for the prevention of pollution by ships

MARPOL is another global convention (over 130 Parties) which addresses waste management. In particular, its Annex V for
the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships. The definition of ships includes fixed and floating platforms, ie offshore
oil and gas production facilities. Garbage is defined as all kinds of victual, domestic and operational waste () generated
during normal operation of the ship (). This excludes wastes generated by the E&P technical activities. Ships are required
to provide a Garbage Record Book the form of which is specified. The disposal of garbage from a platform or a ship alongside
or within 5000 metres of such installations is prohibited, except for food wastes for which disposal may be allowed under
certain size restrictions and provided the platform is located more than 12 nautical miles from land.
42
2008 OGP
Acronyms list
CFC
Chlorofluorocarbon
EIA
Environmental Impact Assessment
E&P
Exploration and Production
EPI
Environmental Performance Indicator
e-SHRIMP
Environmental, Social & Health Risk & Impact Management Process
ESIA
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
ESM
Environmentally Sound Management
FEED
Front End Engineering Design
GPS
Global Positioning System
HDPE
High Density Polyethylene
HSE
Health, Safety and Environment
LDPE
Low Density Polyethylene
LSA
Low Specific Activity
MARPOL 73/78
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships,

1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978
MSDS
Material Safety Data Sheet
NGO
Non-Governmental Organisation
NORM
Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material
OECD
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
OGP
International Association of Oil and Gas Producers
PAH
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons
PCB
Polychlorinated Biphenyl
PCP
Pentachlorophenol
PET
Polyethylene Terephthalate
PPE
Personal Protective Equipment
PS
Polystyrene
PSA
Production Sharing Agreement
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride
SOLAS
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (1974)
US EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
UNEP DTIE
United Nations Environment Programme; Department of Technology,

Industry & Economics
VOC
Volatile Organic Carbon
2008 OGP
43
44
2008 OGP
What is OGP?
The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers encompasses the worlds leading private
and state-owned oil & gas companies, their national and regional associations, and major
upstream contractors and suppliers.
Vision
To work on behalf of the worlds oil and gas producing companies to promote responsible
and profitable operations
Mission
To represent the interests of oil and gas producing companies to international regulators and
legislative bodies
To liaise with other industry associations globally and provide a forum for sharing experiences,
debating emerging issues and establishing common ground to promote cooperation,
consistency and effectiveness
To facilitate continuous improvement in HSE, CSR, engineering and operations
Objectives
To improve understanding of our industry by being visible, accessible and a reliable source
of information
To represent and advocate industry views by developing effective proposals
To improve the collection, analysis and dissemination of data on HSE performance
To develop and disseminate best practice in HSE, engineering and operations
To promote CSR awareness and best practice
209-215 Blackfriars Road

London SE1 8NL
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7633 0272
Fax: +44 (0)20 7633 2350
165 Bd du Souverain
4th Floor
B-1160 Brussels, Belgium
Telephone: +32 (0)2 566 9150
Fax: +32 (0)2 566 9159
Internet site: www.ogp.org.uk
e-mail: reception@ogp.org.uk

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Guidelines for waste management

with special focus on areas with limited infrastructure

International Association of Oil & Gas Producers

Consistent high quality database and guidelines

Internationally recognised source of industry information

Guidelines for waste management

International Association of Oil & Gas Producers

International Association of Oil & Gas Producers

In addition, the guidelines appendices contain:

A list of specialised OGP publications that supplement these guidelines.

Waste Management Across the Oil and Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Principles and Practices of Waste Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

New Waste Management Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Waste Measurement (Tracking, Performance) and Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

International Association of Oil & Gas Producers

e-SHRIMP Toolbox Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Elements of a Waste Management Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

International Association of Oil & Gas Producers

2 Waste management across

Business Case Evaluation

Initial project concept and pre-FEED

Select abandonment option

Specify required changes to existing

Dene options based on risks and

Updated improvement register

No: project closure

No: re-assess/project closure

Are the risks acceptable

No: project closure

Updated improvement register

A country and regional ESH prole

Decision support package (DSP)

Stakeholder identication strategy

Updated stakeholder identication

Initial project concept and pre-FEED

Initial project concept and pre-FEED

Type, scale and site boundaries of

Type, scale and site boundaries of likely

Geophysical appraisal and site

Stakeholder identication plan

Decommissioning Major site abandonment forseen

Major upgrades Dene need and objectives

Oil/gas field Approximate resource base and

Exploration Purchase service agreement: rst entry

Updated improvement register

No: project closure

Preliminary ESH management plan

Decision support package (DSP)

Updated stakeholder identication plan

Develop abandonment plan

FEED around existing operations

Dene activity and location

Updated improvement register

No: project closure/re-design

Full ESH management plan

Decision support package (DSP)

Updated stakeholder identication plan

Develop detailed abandonment plan

Updated risk and opportunities register

Updated stakeholder identication plan