Oil and Gas Drilling Waste Management Considerations by Public Lands Division Staff, Department of Forestry, Lands and Wildlife in Alberta

In 1975, the Energy Resources Conservation Board, the Department of Environment, the Department of Energy and Natural Resources and industry developed drilling fluid disposal guidelines to provide some control over fluid disposal operations.  Public Lands Division assumed management control of these
guidelines in September 1983.  Because the drilling wastes are toxic and because not much is known about how to properly dispose of the fluids and solids, several steps were taken to help resolve the complex drilling waste disposal problem.  Sump contents were analyzed using standard soil analysis procedures.  Some major detrimental components evidenced were high sodium, high chlorides, high pH and high potassium.  Common soil parameters were then noted to help discern disposal options.  Burial and deep trenching are being discouraged on open rangeland or agricultural soils.  Proper berming of wellsites is being stressed.  Surface disposal through on or off lease disposal of treated fluids (where required) and land spreading the solid portion is now encouraged where land is suitable.  A consultant was hired to provide an interim disposal manual for use by government field staff.  Ongoing site evaluations and field trials should help lead to more suitable and environmentally acceptable drilling waste disposal
practices on public lands in Alberta.