Environmental impact of disposal of oil-based mud waste in Kuwait

The study looked into practices in other international oil companies for disposal of oil-based mud cuttings (OBMC) and technologies that are available for treatment and recovery/recycling of OBMC. This waste could be turn into resources using alternative technologies that are available in the industry. The OBMC can be recovered in a cost-effective and efficient manner if proper technology is applied. The study has proven that levels of the related contaminants at all sites have no adverse environmental impact on groundwater or underground resources rations. The study concluded that the level of contamination at all the sites that were taken up for investigations were insignificantly low with the current disposal practices. It also showed that with time after closure of the pits, the contamination (i.e., concentration level of polyaromatic and total petroleum hydrocarbon) decreased naturally to the original soil level. However, due to possible negative impact on the available flora and fauna, the current disposal practice needs to be discontinued as this practice does not comply with Kuwait EPA rules and regulations for disposal of industrial waste.