A life cycle assessment of drilling waste management: a case study of oil and gas condensate field in the north of western Siberia, Russia

Abstract Oil production is currently impossible without drilling wells, so millions of tons waste contaminated with oil, chlorides, and heavy metals are generated every year in Russia alone. This article presents the results a comparative life cycle assessment water-based drill cuttings management technologies applied Russia, including disposal, solidification, reinjection. Life was performed using OpenLCA software, Ecoinvent 3.8 database ReCiPe Midpoint (H) impact method. Fossil depletion, climate change human toxicity were chosen as categories. Data from oil producing companies on composition information treatment reagents used also applied. To compare alternative following scenarios compared: Scenario 0 «Landspraying», scenario 1 «Disposal», 2 «Solidification» (scenario 2a – pit, 2b pit), 3 «Reinjection». Sensitivity analysis to test for variations oilfields located different regions differences mass used. The environmental (landspraying) depends mostly composition, which largely determined by that can differ 17 up 2642 kg 1,4-DCB-eq per t cuttings, when other it 24 73 cuttings. It means, landspraying best option only if level pollutants very low. Among aimed at isolating environment, solidification have greatest impact, primarily due their use binders. all scenarios, biggest effect most cement lime main contributor fossil depletion (64% total amount 54% 2b), greenhouse gas emissions (49% 70% 2b). However, application soil-like material (solidified cuttings) an inert ground swampy areas make migration possible. (reinjection) associated least environment electricity (75% emissions). shows oilfield location does not affect data reinjection, but changes 60% cutting disposal pit design depending permafrost groundwater levels. Differences considerably (up 80%).