RIASSUNTO
Abstract
Description of the Proposed Paper
This paper will review the regulations pertaining to offshore biocide use in different regions of the world. The roles of regional and global organizations in helping to harmonize available environmental, health, and safety information will also be discussed.
Application
Many offshore applications involve the use of biocides, including drilling, production, and pipeline operations. Biocides are also vital to reservoir integrity, flow assurance, and prevention of microbial corrosion. Regulation of the use and discharge of chemicals, including biocides, must be well understood in order to protect the environment and maintain compliance.
Results, Observations, and Conclusions
Each region, and in some cases each country, has its own method of evaluating risk for chemical use. These assessments lead to varying degrees of regulation throughout the world. In some cases there are additional regulations for offshore chemical use. It should be noted that several organizations exist which aim to standardize the risk assessment process for Biocides. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) publishes test protocols for its global member countries that are widely used for determining the ecotoxicity and other environmental parameters of chemicals. Regional guidelines are also in place in some areas; for example, North Sea countries have adopted the Harmonized Offshore Chemical Notification Format (HOCNF) to ensure that each country's regulatory agency is considering the same data set. Ultimately, each regulatory body is responsible for performing its own risk assessments and enforcing its own standards.
Significance of Subject Matter
For chemical suppliers, service companies, and asset owners who operate globally, it is important to be aware of how regulations vary from region to region. An understanding of the science behind these regulations can also lead biocide users to make informed, environmentally-conscious decisions.