Environmental Impact Assessment of Drilling Fluid in Niger Delta

Abstract

Objectives of this study are to carry out an environmental impact assessment of drilling fluid with emphasis on a case study of Oben Oil field, RIG 201.This field is located in Niger Delta of Nigeria. In carrying out this study, soil samples and water from Oben oil field were analysed to determine concentrations of heavy metals Physio-chemical characteristics were also examined and the results were compared with the Department of Petroleum Resources (D.P.R) guidelines and World Health Organization (W.H.O) standard. The results of the test showed that the values of the wastewater were greater than the values of the treated water because it has undergone treatment and can be discharged into the environment. Therefore, the waste water was above the acceptable recommended limit. Also, the values of the soil sample around the drill site had a very high concentration of heavy metals compared to that of the control sample. The study showed that the existence of high concentration of contaminants in the spent drilling fluid from the reserve pit and as a result of the analysis carried out it is then recommended that the waste resulting from drilling operations should be properly treated before disposal into the environment.Objectives of this study are to carry out an environmental impact assessment of drilling fluid with emphasis on a case study of Oben Oil field, RIG 201.This field is located in Niger Delta of Nigeria .