A REVIEW OF THE IMPACTS AND MANAGEMENT OF OILY SLUDGE IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

Francis Atta Kuranchie, Francis Attiogbe, Ama Mbeaba Quarshie

Abstract: Oil and gas extraction has become indispensable so as to meet the energy demands of society. The extraction and refinery of these resources cannot be done without the generation of wastes. The wastes generated such as oily sludge are mostly harmful to the environment and human health and some are also hazardous in nature. It has the risk of preventing vegetation growth, leaching of heavy metals into aquifer and water bodies that could cause contamination and affect aquatic and human life. The sustainable and environmental friendly method of management of oily sludge from the oil and gas industry is still a major challenge confronting stakeholders in the industry. This paper is a mini-review of the potential impacts on the environment and human risks associated with oily sludge and the current management practices employed in the industry. It also looks into the future concerning oily sludge management by collection and reviewing of a wide range of journal papers and industry databases relevant to the subject. The work concludes that enough attention has been drawn to some technologies for oily sludge management. However, in order to minimize the quantities of oily sludge and to make it more environmentally friendly, recovery is viewed more positively over other methods since it is capable of reducing the volume of oily sludge and by extension reduce the treatment cost.

Keywords: Oily sludge, hydrocarbon, waste management, oil and gas industry, recovery and impacts on the environment.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2017.0607006