ABSTRACT
A drilling mud discharge model was developed by the Offshore Operators Committee (OOC) and Exxon Production Research Company (EPR) from the US Army Corps of Engineers/Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Dredge Spoil Model (Brandsma et al., 1980). The model predicts concentrations of solids and soluble components in the water column and the initial deposition of solids on the seafloor. The OOC Mud Discharge Model was distributed to OOC member companies and Federal and state agencies concerned with offshore drilling discharge regulation in September 1983. The model has had extensive use in NPDES permitting and impact assessment.
