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The Oil & Gas Industry and the Environment
Module 2: Environmental Issues & Dynamics
■ Chemical Contamination: Contaminants | Sources |
                                             Response | Recap

Which contaminants?
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Chemicals and agents used during oil and gas activities include: Biocides (e.g. sodium hypochlorite), corrosion inhibitors (e.g. zinc carbonate), oxygen scavengers (e.g. ammonium bisulphite), scale inhibitors, emulsifiers (e.g. alkylated sulfonates), oil removing agents, defoamers, flocculating agents, dispersing agents, diluents, fluid loss agents, tenicides (surfactants), cleaning agents, solvents (e.g. isopropanol, butanol), gas treatment agents, asphaltenes, lubricants (e.g. prafaffins, napthalenes), weighting agents (e.g. barite, calcite), viscosifiers (e.g. bentonite, other organophilic clays), thinners (e.g. sodium tetraphosphates). And many more.

Some chemical contaminants have gained widespread attention due to the environmental effects, including human health effects, associated with them. Some of the these are described in more detail below. More Information >>

Sources of chemical contamination

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Which contaminants?

Click on a link below to find out more.
In your organisation:

■ Who supervises the safe
   storage and use of chemicals?
■ What monitoring is carried out
   concerning their leakage?
■ To whom is this reported?
 

More Information >>
 ■ Chemicals in the European Environment:
    Low Doses, High Stakes? (European
    Environment Agency)
 
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) - PCBs are chemically inert, soluble in water, and not broken down at normal temperatures. As a result, PCBs have a number of industrial uses. There high stability makes them persistent in the environment. PCBS are thought to be carcinogenic and exposure to PCBs causes skin disorders, headaches and visual disturbances.

Halons - Halons are low-toxicity, chemically stable compounds that have been used used primarily for fire and explosion protection. Halons are brominated chemicals related to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and as such they are ozone depleting substances.

Cadmium - Cadmium is a metal toxic to most species. Cadmium is taken up at all levels of the food chain from microorganisms to humans. It is thought to be carcinogenic.

TBT antifouling paint - tributyltin is used in antifouling paint to prevent fungal growth and to discourage barnacles, algae and other marine organisms from growing on boat hulls. TBT is persistent in the environment and extremely hazardous to ecosystems.

Methane - Methane is a hydrocarbon that is a primary component of natural gas. Methane (CH4) is also a "greenhouse gas“. As a contributor to global warming, methane is second only to carbon dioxide.

Tetraethyl lead - Tetraethyl-lead is added to gasoline as an antiknock compound. Tetraethyl lead is extremely poisonous.

Dioxins - Dioxins are a family of chemicals comprising 75 different types of dioxin compounds and 135 related compounds called furans. They are unwanted by-products of industrial and natural processes, usually involving combustion. Dioxins are thought to be carcinogenic and can cause damage to kidney, liver and nervous system.

Benzene - Benzene is a natural component of petroleum and petroleum based products. Benzene is used in oil refineries and certain types of chemical plants. Additionally, benzene is also been used in for example fuel, paint thinner and solvents. Benzene can cause a range of health effects and is considered to be carcinogenic.