Environmental Report 1999 Index

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Waste Returned to Shore Like any onshore industry, the offshore oil and gas business generates a variety of wastes which need to be disposed of. These range from unique materials such as rock cuttings through construction, operating and maintenance wastes such as wood, metals, electrical materials, chemicals and oils. Since offshore installations are small communities, they also generate domestic waste such as housekeeping, catering and small amounts of clinical waste. All these wastes are covered by legislation controlling their handling, transport and ultimate disposal. In particular, for waste returned to shore our members have a "Duty of Care" to ensure that the waste is responsibly handle and only sent to waste management facilities that are licensed to treat or dispose of that waste in a responsible manner. This includes correct handling while our members are in possession of that waste - including appropriate storage and containment, and proper documentation including labeling. In 1998, UKOOA extended its EEMS database to cover wastes returned to shore. The data will be used to meet the regulations on recording quantities involved but will also be used to identify improvements and share best practices within the industry. The quantities of waste returned to shore for disposal during 1998 are shown in Figure 17, while Figure 18 shows the disposal routes used. Figure 17 Type of waste Tonnes General 36,455 Special 18,408 Figure 18 Disposal route Tonnes Return to vendor 423 Incineration 255 Landfill 27,675 Treatment 12 Recycling/reuse 16,328 Other 9,966