Assessment of oil production volatile organic compound sources. Final report, January-September 1980

An extensive description of oil and gas exploration and production drilling technology is presented. Emphasis has been placed on the makeup, use, and disposal of drilling fluids. A simple model for assessment of VOC emissions accompanying drilling is presented, along with an estimation of the potential VOC emissions associated with drilling activities. Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from oil production in new fields were estimated, based on three types of information: (1) extent of new oil and gas fields (those that started production after 1974) in the contiguous 48 states; (2) drilling techniques used for oil and gas exploration and production wells (and their VOC potential), with specific emphasis on the drilling fluids; and (3) equipment and techniques for oil and gas production in new fields and their potential VOC sources.