This is a very simple discussion of materials encountered with produced solids that are considered hazardous.

Oil/Hydrocarbons

• Oil is not hazardous, but does prevent overboard discharge of produced sand
• Solids must cleaned before offshore discharge, typically to <1 wt.% oil on dry solids
• Use a sand cleaning system – batch cyclone-recirculation loop (will be detailed in future article)
• For on-site analysis using SiteLab kit

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)

• Primarily in gaseous phase or liberated during pressure letdown
• Slurry must be gas blanketed and purged with all vapors captured/scrubbed

Pyrophoric Solids (i.e. FeS)

• Can combust and form H2S
• Slurry to be contained with gas blanketed then purged at landfill

Heavy Metals (i.e. Hg)

• Free mercury very heavy and stays with solids (note: mercury droplets can be separated from liquid stream using a hydrocyclone)
• All solids captured for landfill disposal

NORM

• Typically from Ra in Ba/Sr scale formed on solids
• All solids captured for landfill disposal
• I hear the NORM lady has a great class on dealing this this material

The next article will wrap up this material from FSM training module M-2 on “The Nature of Solids”, by providing a list of good technical references.