Oilfield Waste Disposal Using Low-Cost Techniques: Three Success Stories From Weld County, CO
Traditional E&P waste management techniques have become an enormous liability and unwanted expense for the oil and gas industry. In a recent field trip presented by PTTC Rocky Mountain Region during the 2000 Hazardous Waste Research Conference in Denver, Colorado, three operations that handle oilfield waste disposal of oil-contaminated soils (with landfarming), and fluids (tank bottoms) through oil/water/solids separation were showcased. The development and operation of these landfarming facilities have eliminated the need for off-site disposal of E&P contaminated soils. Processing tank bottoms and selling the oil that is recovered from the sludges, as well as the reuse of remediated soil, has defrayed a large portion of the cost of operation of the facilities. The permitting, construction, management, and economics of the operations were discussed.
The May 25, 2000 field trip visited the high plains and South Platte River country near Fort Lupton, 25 miles north of Denver. Stops included the Weld County Waste Disposal Site (EPA 7003 RCRA), the HS Resources Landfarm, and the Patina Oil and Gas Corporation Integrated E&P Waste Management Facility.