Radium fate and oil removal for discharged produced sand

Abstract

From the Summary and Conclusions: “A monitored sand washing and discharge at WD 103B [located in the Gulf of Mexico] to provide data on the fate of radium isotopes and oil and grease associated with produced sand discharges…

The conclusions of the monitored sand washing and discharge are as follows: 1) Radium levels did not significantly increased in the WD 103B sediments after a discharge of 1.4 millicuries total radium contained in 19,170 kilograms of washed produced sand, probably due to the dispersed nature of the discharge. 2) Sand washing achieved a discharge concentration of 1.6 weight percent oil and grease. The removal efficiency was approximately 60% from a prewashed sand of reduced oil content. No visible sheen occurred on the receiving waters during this discharge, and the discharge was in compliance with all regulatory requirements. The discharge did not measurably increase oil and grease in the WD 103B sediments. 3) Sediment radium levels do not appear elevated near oil and gas production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico based on 35 samples divided into nearby and remote groups. Fourteen of the sample site were within 1830 meters of five platforms with produced water discharge.”