Evaluation of metal- and PAH toxicity of thermo treated oil-based drill cuttings by the use of DREAM sediment model

Abstract

Dose-related Risk and Exposure Assessment Model (DREAM) is a risk assessment tool used for modulations of offshore waste discharges effects on the marine environment. The model was first developed in order to estimated the fate of produced water discharged in the water column. The model was further developed, through the joint industrial project ERMS (Environmental Risk Management System), enabling impact calculations for the sediment as well.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the DREAM model`s ability to estimate the EIF (Environmental Impact Factor) for a TCC treated discharge, specially considering the metals and particles content. The TCC unit pulverizes oil contaminated cuttings and remove the oil through vaporization. To be able to compare and decide the particles impact on EIF, different simulations was performed, thus both treated and untreated.

The different physical and chemical stressors contribution to risk are identified though a risk and hazard assessment. The PNEC values will be identified and several assumptions and simplifications will be necessary. The DREAM model will thus be able to calculate risk for the different scenarios.