Effluent Guidelines

Oil and Gas Extraction (Synthetic-Based Drilling Fluids)

Final Rule

Fact Sheet; December 2000

Supporting Documents

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Technical Development Document
Economic Analysis
Environmental Assessment
Statistical Support Document
Record Index (PDF) (229 K, 115 pages)
Notice of Data Availability published in the Federal Register (April 21, 2000)
Public meeting briefing package (PDF) (274 K, 58 slides) (April 25, 2000)

EPA is publishing final effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the discharge of pollutants from oil and gas drilling operations associated with the use of synthetic-based drilling fluids (SBFs) and other non-aqueous drilling fluids into waters of the United States.

Effluent Limitations Guidelines

Effluent limitations guidelines are national regulations that establish restrictions on the discharge of pollutants to surface waters or to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) specific to categories of industries. The effluent guidelines program is one of EPA's most successful environmental protection programs. Effluent guidelines reduce the discharge of pollutants that have serious environmental impacts, including pollutants that kill or impair fish and other aquatic organisms; cause health problems through contaminated water, fish, or shellfish; and degrade aquatic ecosystems. Since 1974, EPA has promulgated effluent limitations guidelines and standards for more than 50 individual categories.

Background

Oil and gas extraction facilities generate cuttings wastes from drilling operations. The cuttings settle to the bottom and have the potential for environmental impacts such as altering or displacing benthic communities. The fluids themselves, some of which are retained on the cuttings, also have the potential for adverse environmental impact. On balance, however, SBF drilling is less polluting than drilling with water-based or oil-based fluids. The final rule allows a controlled discharge of SBF-cuttings.

Scope of Regulation

This regulation establishes technology-based effluent limitations for the discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States by existing and new facilities that perform oil and natural gas extraction drilling in offshore and coastal waters. Most of these facilities are located in three regions: (1) the offshore waters beyond three miles from shore in the Gulf of Mexico; (2) offshore waters beyond three miles from shore in California; and (3) Cook Inlet, Alaska. The wastes covered by the rule include all cuttings, accumulated solids, wash water, and drilling fluid.

The rule also allows operators to use Best Management Practices as an alternative to monitoring for specific cuttings. This alternative provides additional flexibility with comparable environmental protection.

This rule does not amend the requirements for zero discharge of drilling fluids and drill cuttings that already apply to all coastal oil and gas facilities and offshore facilities within three miles from shore (except for offshore Alaska and Coastal Cook Inlet, Alaska).

Costs and Benefits

Compliance with this rule is estimated to reduce the annual discharge of priority and non-conventional pollutants by at least 7.82 million pounds per year and result in the reduction of 2,927 tons of air emissions and reduce energy use by 200,817 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE). EPA projects that the overall economic effect will be a significant savings in operating costs. EPA expects the rule to result in savings of $48.9 million and no adverse economic impacts to drilling operators.

Additional Information

For additional information contact our SBF industrial contact.

316(b) | UNDS | NPDES