Environment Report 2018

Waste Composition and Disposal Wastes are processed to separate hydrocarbons and heavy metals from solids and other liquids. The liquids are then treated for safe discharge to the sewer system, while the remaining materials can be used in renewable energy facilities such as anaerobic digesters. Oil is recovered and usually reused as a fuel source and the cleaned solids are disposed of to landfill. Sludges, liquids and tank washing make up the largest category of waste (56 per cent) disposed of in 2017, with the category including the backload of drilling muds. In comparison with 2016, there was an 18 per cent decrease in waste produced from this stream. Comprising over half of total waste returned to shore, liquid wastes are generally not separated from one another offshore due to space restrictions, giving rise to such a sizeable category.

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Figure 19: Operational, Drilling and Decommissioning Waste, 2017

70,000

Operational

Decommissioning Drilling

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

Waste Disposed (Tonnes)

0

Oils

Other

Scrap Metal

Hazardous Oils Waste

General Waste

Sludges/Liquids/Tank Washings

Hazardous Solids

Chemicals/Paints

Hazardous Water

Drums/Containers

Miscellaneous Special

Segregated Recyclables

Source: EEMS October 2018

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