REACH and the HSE Case for Formate Brines

Abstract

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractEurope's biggest-ever single piece of legislation, REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals), entered into force on June 1, 2007. REACH requires manufacturers, importers and users of chemicals to demonstrate that their products are safe to use for humans and the environment. There will be increasing pressure to substitute chemicals perceived as potentially harmful with less hazardous materials. The legislation is expected to have a significant effect on the management and application of chemicals used by the oil industry in Europe.This paper reviews the REACH process of approval from an end users point of view. The focus is on how REACH will impact on oil companies' European exploration and production (E&P) activities in practical terms. Previous work in the area has tended to focus on the impact on the chemical manufacturers or on cost. The likely consequences of REACH to upstream oil and gas companies are here demonstrated through a discussion of management requirements, based on how four international oil companies are preparing to ensure upstream operations comply with REACH For the European E&P industry, the introduction of REACH will require new management focus and measures to:1. Identify the potential for discontinuation of supply of vital oilfield chemicals 2. Design and implement more rigorous chemical management procedures at site but is also considered to 3. Support better and more comparative assessment of chemicals' Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) properties. In order to illustrate the complex processes of REACH, the regulatory requirements have been reviewed against the HSE profile of formates. These high volume oilfield chemicals used as drilling and completion fluids can be handled by employees with a high level of safety without requiring full chemical hazard suits. Formate brines demonstrate a low level of toxicity to humans and the environmental impact is significantly less than that of many traditional brines. In the tightening regulatory environment this effectively means that compliance is less arduous to achieve and requires less chemical specific management measures.