ABSTRACT
Exploration for the development of oil and gas resources on the outer continental shelf (OCS) of the United States are usually accompanied by the discharge of a variety of materials into the ocean. Interest in these discharges has focused primarily on drilling muds, cuttings and formation water. This paper describes the major components and volumes of muds, cuttings and formation water expected to be discharged as a result of recent oil and gas lease sales on the OCS. A summary of some of the recent fates and effects research on these discharges and the Bureau of Land Management Environmental Studies Program's role in this area of research are also discussed.
