Simulation of Drill Cuttings Dispersion and Deposition in South China Sea

Drill cuttings with various characteristics and sizes are produced in any offshore oil and gas exploration and production (EP) drilling of the seabed

Drill cuttings and drilling fluids (muds) transport, fate and effects near a coral reef mesophotic zone

The study was conducted to improve knowledge and provide guidance on reducing uncertainty with impact predictions when drilling near sensitive environments. Near/Far-field hindcast modelling of cuttings/drilling fluid (mud) discharges from a floating platform was conducted, based on measured discharge amounts and durations and validated by ROV-based plume and seabed sampling. The high volume, concentration, and discharge rate water-based drilling mud discharges (mud pit dumps) were identified as the most significant dispersal risk, but longer-range movement was limited by the generation of jet-like plumes on release, which rapidly delivered muds to the seabed (80 m). Effects to the sparse benthic filter feeder communities close to the wells were observed, but no effects were seen on the epibenthic or demersal fish assemblages across the nearby mesophotic reef. For future drilling near sensitive environments, the study emphasized the need to better characterise drilling fluid discharges (volumes/discharge rates) to reduce uncertainty in modelling outputs

Marine Oil Spills

Major oil spills attract the attention of the public and the media. This was especially the case after the Deepwater Horizon spill. In recent years, this attention has created a global awareness of the risks of oil spills and the damage they do to the environment. Oil is a necessity in our industrial society, however, and a major component of our lifestyle. This means that the risk of major spills continues as does the interest in spills. The Deepwater Horizon spill began a new series of scientific studies that have greatly increased our understanding of oil spills. This book contains 10 such studies. These studies vary from toxicity studies to social studies of human reaction to spills and risk. Importantly, the book is a sampling of important new topics that have become important after the Deepwater Horizon spill. These new topics include new chemical and tracing techniques, new risk perception techniques, perspectives on human health and spills, and discussion on new fuels. This book makes a significant contribution to the understanding of facets of spills and explores 10 very different facets of oil spills