ABSTRACT
This paper presents a summary of quantitative data on the use of oil-based mud on the Canadian offshore frontier lands. The information is used to test two simple empirical models useful in prediction of environmental impacts. The first model, designed to estimate the volume and mass of oily cuttings produced at a well site, shows close agreement with results based on actual caliper logging data. The second model, to predict the oil content of cuttings as a function of geographical location and several common downhole parameters, failed to demonstrate significant correlations.
