In September that year BP did a test injection of 1,500 barrels of waste from the Clyde platform in the UK sector. These, however, were all described as case studies, tests or experiments. The document gave examples of the kinds of problems staff might encounter and, in addition to practical advice, laid down recommended procedures for monitoring and reporting re-injection work. The working group that drew up the guidelines included two representative of Exxon, alongside experts from Agip, Amoco, BP, Chevron, Elf, Enterprise Oil, Statoil, Texaco and Total. The adoption of this approach to the disposal of oilfield wastes is particularly attractive since it means that the overall environmental impact of operations is minimised.
Injection offers a cost effective disposal option with minimal energy utilisation.
This view is confirmed by a review of the extensive literature on the subject in the public domain. Lal, M. and Thurber, N. 1989. Drilling Wastes Management and Closed-Loop Systems. In Engelhardt, F. R. et al. Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd, Barking, England.