Offshore oil platform discharges to the Pacific outer continental shelf along the coast of southern California in 1996 and 2000.

Abstract

From Abstract: “The 23 oil platforms currently operating offshore of southern California are a potential source of contaminant inputs to the Southern California Bight (SCB) from discharges associated with drilling and production activities. Data regarding oil platform discharges were obtained from Discharge Monitoring Reports submitted by oil platform operators to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These data were used to quantify oil platform discharges to the SCB in 1996 and 2000 in terms of total volumes discharged, contaminant loading, and average discharge constituent concentrations.

Results of this evaluation were compared with an earlier assessment conducted in 1990. Results were also compared to discharges from large and small wastewater treatment facilities (publicly owned treatment works, or POTWs) to gauge the relative contribution of oil platform discharges to the SCB. Oil platforms discharged 5,374 and 5,638 million liters of produced water and 12,128 and 2,955 metric tons (mt) of solids to the SCB in 1996 and 2000, respectively. Oil platform discharges were minor compared to effluents from large and small POTWs in terms of both volume and constituent mass emissions.”