1. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF OFFSHORE HYDRAULIC FLUIDS
SIMON McMANUS

2. Types of Subsea Hydraulic Fluid
Mineral Oil e.g. Shell Tellus
Synthetic Hydrocarbon e.g. Brayco, BTC491
Water-Glycol e.g. Oceanic HW and Transaqua.

3. Areas For Environmental Concern
Onshore discharge is also an issue as the fluids are used for flushing and in some industrial applications.
Main area for environmental acceptability is in the marine environment.

4. Hydrocarbon Based Materials
Synthetic Hydrocarbons and normal hydraulic oils should be treated in the same manner.
Discharge is not allowed and spillage procedures should be followed as for oils.
All oils should be reclaimed or disposed of according to legislation.

5. Water - Glycol Fluids
There are two completely different areas for environmental issues.
Onshore the Environmental Agency regulations apply and do not allow fluid discharge.
Offshore the OsPARCOM regulate and the products are allowed to be discharged into the marine environment.

6. Water Glycol Fluids Onshore Special Waste?
Classed as Special Waste due to hazard warning sign (Xn harmful).
Harmful label is applied due to the Mono-Ethylene-Glycol content being more than 25%
MEG is harmful if swallowed, ingestion may lead to kidney damage.

7. Water Glycol Fluids Onshore Spillage
The products tend to have low toxicity-high biodegradability.
The MEG in the fluid has a high Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD).
Degradation of the material will use oxygen as it degrades to such a level that other organisms and plant life may suffocate.
Major spills in foul water drains may kill cultures in water treatment plants.

8. Water Glycol Fluids Onshore Disposal
Water-Glycol fluids should not be disposed of down surface water drains.
Local water authorities should be informed of spillage that end up in foul water drains.
All spillage should be contained and collected if possible.
Fluid should be removed by an authorised waste handling company.

9. Water Glycol Fluids Offshore
Testing has to be inline with the Paris Commission (PARCOM) in European waters.
In the UK CEFAS recommend discharge levels to the DTI who grade products.
In Norway chemicals are assessed by SFT
In Holland it is the Institute of Mines.

10. Water Glycol Fluids Offshore PARCOM Testing
COD not a concern as there is an unlimited supply of oxygen in the ocean.
Toxicity information is required on three organisms
Bioaccumulation information is needed on all chemical constituents.
Biodegradation information needed on all chemical constituents.

11. Water Glycol Fluids Offshore Toxicity
LC50 for a Crustacean.
LC50 for a Sediment Re-worker.
EC50 for an Algae.
LC50 is the lethal concentration that kills 50% of an organism.
EC50 is the concentration that inhibits growth by 50%

12. Water Glycol Fluids Offshore HOCNF
All the information accumulated is supplied in the form of the Harmonised Offshore Chemical Notification Format.
This document is then used to asses the risk to the marine environment.
All Wm. Canning control fluids are classed as group E by the DTI. (1 000 tonnes usage per instillation per year).

13. Wm Canning Products Biodegradation over 60% in 28 days
No Bioaccumulation
Typical Toxicity values

14. Water Glycol Material Safety
Harmful if swallowed
Not an irritant but we do recommend the use of gloves and goggles.
Non flammable.
Not dangerous for cargo