Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard · Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement SAEP-327 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning, Flushing, and Hydrostatic Tests SAEP-339 Marine

Previous Issue: 30 April 2005 Next Planned Update: 6 September 2016

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Primary contact: Fadlalla, Yusef Hassan on 966-3-8760423

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2011. All rights reserved.

Engineering Standard

SAES-A-103 6 September 2011

Discharges to the Marine Environment

Document Responsibility: Environmental Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................. 2

2 Conflicts and Deviations................................ 2

3 References..................................................... 2

4 Design and Operation.................................... 4

5 Sampling and Verification............................. 10

6 Definitions..................................................... 11 Table A - Effluent Discharge Limitations(1)........ 15

Table B - Recommended Analytical Methods for Compliance Testing......................... 17 Appendix I.......................................................... 18

Appendix II......................................................... 19

Appendix III......................................................... 20

Appendix IV........................................................ 22

Document Responsibility: Environmental Standards Committee SAES-A-103

Issue Date: 6 September 2011

Next Planned Update: 6 September 2016 Discharges to the Marine Environment

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1 Scope

1.1 This Standard defines the minimum mandatory operating requirements

governing direct discharges into the marine environment, from existing new and

modified Saudi Aramco facilities whether they are onshore or offshore.

This includes temporary or permanent platforms. The discharges include treated

sanitary effluents, industrial wastewater, cooling water, brine discharges, solid

waste, discharges from offshore drilling and workover operations, and any other

types of direct discharges into the marine environment.

Note: The marine environment lies between the highest spring tide level onshore and the international maritime boundary of Saudi waters offshore.

1.2 This Standard shall apply to all marine vessels operating within Saudi territorial

waters.

Note: Refer to Saudi Aramco Sanitary Code (SASC-S-09) Marine Department Operating Instructions, and MARPOL 73/78 Convention for compliance requirements and standards covering marine vessels.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this standard and other applicable Saudi Aramco

Engineering Standards and Procedures (SAESs and SAEPs), specific Corporate

General Instructions (GIs), Saudi Aramco Sanitary Code (SASC), Materials

System Specifications (SAMSSs), Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry

standards, codes, and forms shall be resolved in writing by the Company through

the Manager, Environmental Protection Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2 This standard does not conflict with Saudi Aramco Sanitary Code (SASC-S-09)

and MARPOL 73/78 Convention covering marine vessels. Any conflict

between this standard and the most recent government General Environmental

Regulations (GER) or Saudi government-ratified regional or international

standards or regulations, requires compliance with the most restrictive.

2.3 Direct all requests to deviate from this standard in writing to the Company, who

shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302 and forward such requests to

the Manager, Environmental Protection Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

3 References

The selection of methods, procedures, technologies, equipment, vessels, and facilities to

implement the requirements of this standard shall comply with the latest edition of the

references listed below, unless otherwise noted.

https://standards.aramco.com.sa/public/StandardDocInfo.aspx?AbbCode=SAEP-302




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3.1 Saudi Aramco Documents

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a

Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering

Requirement

SAEP-327 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning, Flushing,

and Hydrostatic Tests

SAEP-339 Marine Dredging and Landfilling Approval and

Permitting

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-A-104 Wastewater Treatment, Reuse and Disposal

SAES-S-007 Solid Waste Landfill Standard

Saudi Aramco Sanitary Code

SASC-S-02 Sanitary Wastewater and Sewerage Systems

SASC-S-03 Solid Waste Landfill Standard

SASC-S-09 Marine Vessels

Saudi Aramco General Instructions

GI-0002.400 Offshore Oil Spill Contingency Plan

GI-0002.402 Leak and Spill Reporting - Red Sea

GI-0002.404 Leak and Spill Reporting - Arabian Gulf

GI-0430.001 Waste Management

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Public Health Association (APHA), American Water Works

Association (AWWA) and Water Environment Federation, Standard Methods

for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 21st Edition, 2005

American Society for Testing and Materials, Annual Book of ASTM Standards -

Section 11, Water and Environmental Technology, 2008-2009

3.3 Government Documents and Standards

General Environmental Regulations (GER) and Rules for Implementation in the

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME),

2004.




https://standards.aramco.com.sa/public/StandardDocInfo.aspx?AbbCode=SAES-A-104

https://standards.aramco.com.sa/public/StandardDocInfo.aspx?AbbCode=SAES-S-007




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Document No. 1409-01, Environmental Protection Standards (General

Standards), Meteorology and Environmental Protection Administration

(MEPA), presently Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME).

(Note: This document is incorporated and referenced in Appendix-1 of the GER.)

Royal Commission Environmental Regulations, Volume 1 Royal Commission

for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY), 2004

3.4 Regional and International Protocols

Protocol concerning Marine Pollution resulting from Exploration and

Exploitation of the Continental Shelf, Regional Organization for the Protection

of the Marine Environment (ROPME), 1989

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 as

modified by the Protocol of 1978 and six Annexes relating thereto, International

Maritime Organizations Marine Pollution Convention, MARPOL 73/78.

Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and

Other Matter, 1972 and 1996 Protocol Thereto, otherwise known as the London

Convention.

United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (see Article 145 – Protection

of the Marine Environment)

Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden

Against Pollution from Land-based Sources (also known as the Jeddah

Convention), (PERSGA) 1982

Protocol Concerning Regional Co-operation in Combating Pollution by Oil and

Other Harmful Substances in Cases of Emergency, PERSGA (1982)

4 Design and Operation

4.1 Design of Wastewater Treatment Equipment

New and modified facilities shall comply with SAES-A-104 (Wastewater

Treatment, Reuse and Disposal) for design criteria of wastewater treatment

equipment.

4.2 Discharges from Existing Facilities

4.2.1 Existing facilities shall comply with the point-of-discharge standards in

the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) Document No.

1409-0, also referenced in Appendix 1 of the GER (see requirements in





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Table A). They shall also comply with the Regional Organization for the

Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) Protocol, the Saudi

Aramco Sanitary Code, and, if applicable, the Royal Commission for

Jubail and Yanbu Requirements. Except in cases where only

comminution and disinfection is required (as indicated in Section

4.2.4.2), the facility is only required to comply with the coliform bacteria

and residual chlorine concentration standards in Table A, and those

restrictions outlined in 4.2.4.5.

4.2.2 No discharge into the marine environment is allowed in the Jubail and

Yanbu Royal Commission Area, except for untreated once-through

cooling water (see Royal Commission Environmental Regulations,

Volume 1 Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu) unless approval of

the General Supervisor EED is given and a permit for the discharge is

issued by the RCJY.

4.2.3 Under no circumstances shall hazardous waste be discharged to the

marine environment.

4.2.4 Limitations on Sewage and Wastewater Discharges from Offshore

Facilities

4.2.4.1 Sewage to be discharged to the marine environment from an

offshore facility or marine vessel located less than 4 nautical

miles from land and manned by less than 10 people, shall be

comminuted and disinfected. A sewage treatment plant is not

required. Exceptions to this disinfection requirement will be

considered on a case-by-case basis and only granted if

approved by the General Supervisors of EED and ECD. Defer

to MARPOL 73/78 for marine vessels, if more stringent.

4.2.4.2 Sewage to be discharged to the marine environment from an

offshore facility or marine vessel located less than 4 nautical

miles from land and manned by 10 or more people, shall have a

sewage treatment plant approved by the General Supervisor,

Environmental Engineering Division, the Environmental

Compliance Division, and meeting all design criteria in

SAES-A-104. Defer to MARPOL 73/78 for marine vessels, if

more stringent.

4.2.4.3 Sewage to be discharged to the marine environment from a

facility or marine vessel which is located more than 4 nautical

miles from land, and manned by less than 10 people, shall be

comminuted but does not need to be disinfected. A sewage





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treatment plant is not required. Defer to MARPOL 73/78 for

marine vessels, if more stringent.

4.2.4.4 Sewage to be discharged to the marine environment from a

facility or a marine vessel which is located greater than 4

nautical miles from land, and manned by 10 or more people,

shall be comminuted and disinfected. A sewage treatment

plant is not required. Defer to MARPOL 73/78 for marine

vessels, if more stringent.

4.2.4.5 Sewage and wastewater discharges shall not produce visible

floating solids or cause discoloration of the surrounding water.

4.2.4.6 Grey water to be discharged directly to the marine environment

from accommodation platforms in offshore GOSPs shall be

disinfected. Grey water can be discharged without treatment,

on a case by case basis, with the approval of the General

Supervisors of EED and ECD.

4.2.5 Limitations on Solid Waste Discharges

4.2.5.1 No discharge of rubbish or trash is allowed, including but not

limited to plastics, paper products, glass, metal, or crockery.

Disposal of food waste from offshore facilities into the sea is

prohibited closer than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land.

4.2.5.2 Offshore domestic waste shall be brought onshore for treatment

and disposed of per GI-0430.001 “Waste Management” and

SASC-S-03, “Solid Waste Landfill Standard.”

Food waste may be discharged from offshore platforms into the

sea 12 nautical miles or more from the nearest land, but only

after comminution. Disinfection is not required. Comminuted

food waste shall be capable of passing through a screen with

openings no greater than 25 millimeters.

4.3 Discharges from New and Expanded Facilities

4.3.1 New and expanded facilities shall comply with the point-of-discharge

standards promulgated by the Presidency of Meteorology and

Environment (PME in Document No. 1409-01 (see Table A) ), and also

referenced in the GER as Appendix-1; and revisions, except as specified

below. They shall also comply with the Saudi Aramco Sanitary Code,

the RCJY standards, and with the Regional Organization for the

Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) Protocol. The most

https://standards.aramco.com.sa/public/StandardDocInfo.aspx?AbbCode=SASC-S-03




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stringent point-of-discharge standards should apply. Except in cases

where only comminution and disinfection is required (as indicated in

Section 4.2.4.2), the facility is only required to comply with the

coliform bacteria and residual chlorine concentration standards in

Table A, and those restrictions outlined in 4.2.4.5.

4.3.2 New and expanded facilities shall comply with SAES-A-104

(Wastewater Treatment, Reuse and Disposal) for design criteria of

wastewater treatment equipment.

4.3.3 New and expanded facilities located offshore shall comply with the

limitations on sewage and solid waste discharges in Section 4.2.

4.3.4 New and expanded facilities which are located in areas governed by the

Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu shall comply with the

Standards promulgated for those areas, or the Standards herein;

whichever are more stringent. Royal Commission boundary maps are

attached (see Appendices I & II).

4.3.5 New and modified facilities shall incorporate Best Practical Technology

(BPT) at the time of design, for control of discharges to the marine

environment.

4.3.6 Facility operators are required to submit an operating plan, in the form

of an Operations Instruction Manual (OIM), to the General Supervisor,

Environmental Engineering Division and Environmental Compliance

Division to obtain approval for discharge requirements and limitations.

4.3.7 Dilution of wastewater with water of a better quality shall not be

acceptable as a primary method of treatment to comply with the point-

of-discharge standards. The point of compliance is the discharge of the

treatment system before any dilution water is added.

4.3.8 The General Supervisor, Environmental Engineering Division shall

determine salinity and turbidity requirements for discharging

wastewater directly to the marine environment on a case-by-case basis.

Temperature requirements shall also be determined on a case-by-case

basis, with approval from PME, if required.

4.3.9 The General Supervisor, Environmental Engineering Division with

input from the Coordinator, Environmental Coordination Division shall

determine the necessity of more restrictive point-of-discharge limits in

biologically unique or highly sensitive areas, and recreational areas.

The General Supervisor, Environmental Compliance Division shall

provide input in areas where there is a danger to public health.





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4.3.10 Adverse effects of discharges to the marine environment, such as

mudline scour, sediment mobilization and redistribution, and habitat

deterioration shall be avoided. The General Supervisor, Environmental

Engineering Division shall determine the necessity for the use of BAT

or more restrictive point-of-discharge limits, to ensure that impacts to

the local oceanography and ecology are minimal.

4.4 Slop Reception Facilities

All marine loading and unloading facilities are required to provide slop

reception facilities.

4.5 Discharges from Drilling and Workover Operations in the Arabian Gulf and the

Red Sea

4.5.1 Limitations on Drilling Waste Discharges in the Arabian Gulf

4.5.1.1 No discharge of Oil-Based Drilling Fluid or Alternative

Oil-Based Drilling Fluid shall be allowed as per the ROPME

Protocol Concerning Marine Pollution Resulting from

Exploration and Exploitation of the Continental Shelf.

4.5.1.2 Drill cuttings shall not be discharged at water depths less than

15 m (45 feet). Drill cuttings shall not be discharged above or

on the sea surface. The discharge point of the cuttings shall

be 15 feet or greater below the surface of the water. In any

case, the discharge shall not take place in areas designated as

biologically sensitive (see Section 4.5.3). Drill cuttings

produced at depths less than 15 m shall be contained and

transported for disposal on land, or re-injected in place.

4.5.1.3 Drill cuttings produced when Water-Based Drilling Fluid has

been used shall not be discharged where they will have a

detrimental impact on habitats (e.g., seagrass, algal, and coral)

designated as biologically sensitive. The potential for impacts

on sensitive areas, from drill cuttings disposal, will be

determined on a case-by-case basis by the General Supervisor,

Environmental Engineering Division.

4.5.1.4 Oil-Based Drilling Fluids (OBM) shall not be used in drilling

operations without consulting with EED/EPD. If an exception

is made and Oil-Based Drilling Fluid is used, with the prior

approval of the General Supervisor/EED, the cuttings shall be

effectively cleaned using Best Available Technology (BAT)

to reduce the oil concentration, if practicable, to 15 mg/L (or




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15 ppm) before being discharged. The discharge shall not

produce an oil sheen at the water surface. If a sheen is

produced, it should not extend beyond 100 m radius from the

discharge point.

4.5.1.5 Drill cuttings produced when Alternative Oil-Based Drilling

Fluids such as mineral oils have been used shall not be

discharged unless the drilling fluid has been determined to be

non-toxic. The numerical limit of 30,000 ppm is the pass/fail

standard for toxicity of unused and used drilling muds

(Appendix III). Toxicity bioassay test results shall be

reviewed by the General Supervisor, Environmental

Engineering Division before discharge will be allowed. In the

absence of toxicity biassay test results, the cuttings will be

considered to be contaminated with oil-based drilling fluids;

hence non-compliant (see ROPME Protocol).

4.5.1.6 Water-based drilling fluid shall not be discharged if it contains

persistent systemic toxins (see 4.5.3). Toxicity shall be

determined based on bioassay tests as specified in Section

4.5.5. Toxicity bioassay test results shall be reviewed by the

General Supervisor, Environmental Engineering Division

before discharge will be allowed. In the absence of toxicity

biassay test results, the fluid and the cuttings produced when

water based muds are used will be considered to be

contaminated with persistent systemic toxins.

4.5.2 Limitations on Drilling Waste Discharges in the Red Sea

4.5.2.1 No discharge of Oil-Based Drilling Fluid or Alternative

Oil-Based Drilling Fluid shall be allowed in shallow

(0-100 m) or deep (100+ m) water.

4.5.2.2 Drilling wastes shall not be discharged in shallow water or

1 km from biologically sensitive habitats. Drilling wastes

shall be contained and transported for disposal on land, or

re-injected in place.

4.5.2.3 Drilling wastes produced in deep water or farther than 1 km

from biologically sensitive habitats shall be contained and

transported for disposal on land. If an exception is made, with

the prior approval of the General Supervisor/EED, drill

cuttings may be discharged on site, after effective treatment to

reduce the oil concentration to 15 mg/L (or 15 ppm).

The cuttings shall not contain systemic toxins. The discharge




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point of the cuttings shall be 15 feet or greater below the

surface of the water.

4.6 Discharges from Pipeline Hydrotest Operations

Disposal of hydrotest water into the marine environment shall be in accordance

with SAEP-327.

4.7 Discharges from Dredging and Landfilling Operations

Discharge of dredge spoils or discharges associated with landfilling operations

shall be in accordance with SAEP-339, Marine Dredging and Landfilling

Approval and Permitting.

4.8 Discharges from Workover Flaring Operations

The concentration of oil spilled during offshore well workover flaring operation

shall not exceed 15 ml/L nor produce a sheen at the water surface at the edge of

the mixing zone (the radius of the mixing zone depends on depth, but cannot

exceed 100 m) (see Appendix IV).

5 Sampling and Verification

5.1 The proponent organization shall be responsible for providing information

specified by the General Supervisor, Environmental Compliance Division for

determining compliance of a facility with the point-of-discharge standards on a

case-by-case basis.

5.2 Facilities are required to measure, at point of discharge of treated sanitary

wastewater, daily effluent residual chlorine and pH and monthly effluent total

coliform bacteria; and maintain records onsite.

5.3 Facilities are required to comply with discharge monitoring guidelines stipulated

in Saudi Aramco Sanitary Code (SASC-S-2).

5.3.1 Discharges that are only comminuted are excluded from the requirement

of effluent measurements under 5.2. However, visual checks should be

recorded to ensure compliance with 4.2.4.5.

5.3.2 Discharges that are comminuted and disinfected should be sampled for

pH, Chlorine, and Coliform bacteria as per 5.2 above.

5.3.3 Offshore facilities with STPs will be inspected, and their effluents

sampled by EPD staff to monitor sanitary wastewater parameters as with

onshore marine discharge STPs. Facilities are still required to monitor

pH, Chlorine and Total Coliform as per 5.2 above these facilities.






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5.4 The General Supervisor, Environmental Compliance Division shall validate the

discharge parameters data to determine the compliance status of facilities.

5.5 All analytical methods shall be as specified in Table B.

6 Definitions

Alternative Oil-Based Drilling Fluid: drilling fluid in which the oil-water emulsion

phase contains greater than or equal to 10% of low aromatic content mineral oil or other

alternative low toxicity synthetic oils.

Best Available Technology (BAT): a term used with regulations on limiting and

mitigating pollutant discharges into the marine environment. Ideally, the concept

prescribes acquisition of the best state of the art technology available, regardless of cost.

In practice the use of cost aspect should be taken into account.

Best Practical Technology (BPT): a term used by PME indicating pollution control

technology which will provide acceptable performance in meeting approved standards,

but does not reflect the most advanced technology available. BPT is typically used in

the control of conventional pollutants which are normally found in sanitary, industrial

and/or similar wastewaters.

Biologically Sensitive Area: value-based designation of ecoystem services provided

by marine habitats. Determination is based on productivity or rate of biomass

production (e.g., seagrass), biodiversity, fisheries potential, structural complexity

(e.g., reefs), importance as refuges for threatened or endangered species, and aesthetic

and recreational potential.

Domestic Waste: “household” waste material which cannot be recycled, composted,

reused or disposed by other means.

Drill Cuttings: formation material excavated during well drilling operations, forming a

component of drilling waste.

Drilling Fluid: drilling fluid, often referred to as muds or drilling muds in the oil

industry, is a circulationg fluid used in rotary drilling to perform any or all of the

various functions required in drilling operations (API).

Drilling Muds: See Drilling Fluid.

Drilling Waste: liquid and solid waste produced during well drilling operations;

composed of drill cuttings, drilling fluids or muds, water, and all additives therein.

Facility: any installation which may be a source of pollution or environmental

deterioration. Installations include, but are not limited to, onshore plants and their

outfalls, offshore platforms, jackup barges, and drill rigs).




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GOSP: Gas Oil Separation Plant.

Grey Water: Sanitary wastewater other than that containing medical waste, kitchen

waste or human excrement (from toilets and urinals); discharged from any appliance or

fixture such as showers, sinks, or bath water.

Hazardous Waste: waste material or a mixture of waste having chemical, biological or

radiological properties capable of producing adverse effects on health, safety, or the

environment. Such material may be flammable, toxic, reactive, corrosive, oxidizing,

carcinogenic, or a compressed gas.

Industrial Wastewater: Wastewater resulting from industrial processes and

manufacturing operations such as factories, processing plants, repair and cleaning

establishments, and refineries.

Marine Environment: sea and intertidal zone area.

Marine Vessels: All new and existing Saudi Aramco owned vessels or any vessels on

hire, leased or sub-leased, to Saudi Aramco: to include but not limited to, supply or taxi

boats, tugs, offshore drilling rigs, jack-up barges, work barges, and other special

purpose vessels.

MEPA: the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Defense & Aviation, Meteorology

and Environmental Protection Administration established under Royal Decree No.

7/M/8903, dated 21/4/1401 H (25 February 1981) [presently known as the Presidency

of Meteorology and Environment (PME)].

Modified Facility: this is any facility where major expenditure of funds occurs for

equipment addition or replacements, or when a change in the operation or design of the

facility results in an increase in the discharge of wastes. For the purpose of this

definition, any replacement of equivalent kind and capacity is not considered a

modification.

Nautical Mile: equivalent to 1.85 km.

New Facility: a facility which receives executive management final project approval

after the issuance date of this standard.

Oil-Based Drilling Fluid: drilling fluid in which the base fluid is a petroleum product

such as diesel.

Persistent Systemic Toxins: systemic toxins that are not decomposed or transformed.

PME: Presidency of Meteorology and Environment.




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Point-of-Discharge: facility wastewater discharge point into receiving water, after

treatment but prior to the addition of any dilution water. PME prescribes that the edge

of the mixing zone for the point of discharge effluent should not impinge on the lowest

tidal level in the area. The point of discharge should be reasonably accessible to

sampling and located as such to minimize water quality impacts to the greatest extent

possible.

Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu: a jurisdictional authority that administers

activities within the defined areas of Madinat Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah and Madinat Jubail

Al-Sinaiyah (see Appendices I & II).

Rubbish: non-putrescible domestic and commercial solid waste constituents, e.g.,

paper, plastic, glass, tin cans, and wood.

Sanitary Wastewater: wastewater generated from domestic activities. Sources

include, but not limited to, toilets, sinks, showers.

Sewage: wastewater in the form of:

i) Drainage and other waste from any form of toilet, urinal or water closet;

ii) Drainage from medical premises such as dispensary or sick bay, via wash-basins,

wash-tubs and drains located in such premises;

iii) Other wastewaters when mixed with significant quantities of the drainage defined

above.

Systemic Toxins: toxins that affect the entire body or many organs rather than

a specific site (e.g., potassium cyanide).

Toxic Substance: any substance which may result in death, disability and distress to

man, or death, distress, and damage to marine life; whether by direct contact, inhalation,

ingestion, or absorption.

Toxicity Bioassay: a test (e.g., LC50) that establishes the acceptable concentration of a

contaminant in water, or in the aqueous phase of contaminated sediment, that protects

pelagic or benthic organisms from direct toxicity.

Trash: similar to rubbish but primarily consists of paper, cardboard and wood.

Wastewater: any liquid waste containing water, whether freshwater or seawater.

Water-Based Drilling Fluid: drilling fluid that has water as the continuous phase;

which may contain alkalies, salts, surfactants, organic polymers in colloidal states,

droplets of emulsified oils, and various insoluble substances, such as barite and clay.




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Types of water-based drilling fluids include, but not limited to, spud muds, lime muds,

gypsum muds, non-diperserd polymer muds, and salt water muds.

Revision Summary

6 September 2011 Major revision.




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Table A – Effluent Discharge Limitations(1)

(PME vs. Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu Limits)

PME (2) Jubail RCER 2004 (3) Yanbu RCER 2004 (4)

Parameter (5) Allowable

Effluent Level

Maximum Allowable

Effluent Level

Mo. Average Effluent Level

Maximum Allowable

Effluent Level

Mo. Average Effluent Level

Physio-Chemical Pollutants

Floatables None Nil Nil Nil Nil

pH (units) – Allowable Range 6-9 6-9 6-9 6-9 6-9

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) (mg/l) 15 mg/l 40 mg/l 25 mg/l 40 mg/l 25

Temperature(6) ( Δ °C) Case by Case 10 10 Case by Case Case by Case

Turbidity (7) (NTU Maximum) 75 75 50 15 8

Salinity (above ambient) (Δ ppt) - - - 2.0 1.0

Organic Pollutants (mg/l)

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 25 25 15 25 15

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) 150 150 75 150 75

Total Organic Carbon (TOC) 50 150 50 150 50

Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) 5 10 5 10 5

Total Chlorinated Hydrocarbons 0.1 - - 0.5 0.1

Oil & Grease (8) 8 15 8 15 8

Phenols 0.1 1.0 0.1 1.0 0.1

Inorganic Pollutants (mg/l) 30-day Average:

Aluminum - 25 15 25 15

Ammonia (total, as Nitrogen) 1.0 3.0 1.0 3.0 1.0

Arsenic 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.5 0.1

Barium - 2.0 1.0 2.0 1.0

Cadmium 0.02 0.05 0.01 0.05 0.01

Chlorinated Hydrocarbons - 0.5 0.1 0.5 0.1

Chlorine (residual) (9) 0.5 2.0 0.5 0.3 0.2

Chromium (total) 0.1 1.0 0.1 1.0 0.1

Cobalt - 2.0 0.1 2.0 0.1

Copper 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.2

Cyanide 0.05 0.1 0.05 0.1 0.05

Dissolved Oxygen - 2 min.(10) 5.(10) 2 min.(10) 5 min.(10)

Fluoride - 25 15 25 15

Iron - 10 5.0 10 5.0

Lead 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.5 0.1

Manganese - 1.0 0.2 1.0 0.2

Mercury 0.001 0.005 0.001 0.005 0.001

Nickel 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.2

Phosphate (total, as P) (9) 1.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 1.0

Sulfide - 0.1 0.05 0.1 0.05

Zinc 1.0 5.0 2.0 5.0 1.0

Biological Pollutants (MPN/100 ml (11)

30-day Average:

Total Coliform 1000 2400 1000 2400 1000




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Table A – Effluent Discharge Limitations (Cont'd)

(PME vs. Jubail & Yanbu Royal Commission Limits) Notes for Table A:

1) Royal Commission Standards shall apply to Saudi Aramco facilities within the Royal Commission jurisdictions. See Appendices I and II for Royal Commission boundary maps.

2) Limits taken from Section 13 – Performance Standards for Direct Discharge; General Environmental Regulations and Rules for Implementation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Presidency of Meteorology and Environment. The performance standards shall apply to wastewater at the end of the outfall but before discharge to coastal waters or to any wastewater channel. Each direct discharge should be adequately dispersed and mixed with the receiving waters. A mixing zone shall be designed to minimize adverse effects. The adequacy and the area of the mixing zone shall be determined on a case by case basis by the PME.

3) Limits taken from the Royal Commission Environmental Regulations 2004 (RCER 2004), Table 3C (Water Quality Standards for Direct Discharge to Coastal Waters - including treated effluent, discharge to the seawater cooling return canal, variance streams, and surface drainage ditches). For any parameters not identified, specific standards will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

4) Limits taken from the Royal Commission Environmental Regulations 2004 (RCER 2004), Table 3C (Water Quality Standards for Direct Discharge to Coastal Waters - including treated effluent, discharge to the seawater cooling return canal, variance streams, and surface drainage ditches). For any parameters not identified, specific standards will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

5) See Table B for analytical methods.

6) Differential temperature between seawater cooling intake and seawater cooling outfall. PME will determine the thermal properties of the discharged water to fit the properties of the receiving water on case by case basis

7) Nephelometric Turbidity Units. Also to be determined on a case-by-case basis; in areas deemed by EED to be biologically sensitive.

8) Not to exceed 15 mg/l in any individual discharge.

9) Not applicable for wastewater reuse applications or discharge into evaporation ponds.

10) Whereas all other parameters set maximum levels, oxygen depletion is detrimental to organisms such that the mg/l value for dissolved oxygen is to be considered a minimum value.

11) Most Probable Number.




Page 17 of 25

Table B – Recommended Analytical Methods for Compliance Testing

Parameter APHA-Standard Methods (1)

or Other Approved Method (3) ASTM Standards (2)

Physico-Chemical Pollutants

pH D1293-84

Filterable Residue (TDS) Method 2540-B

Non-Filterable Residue Method 2540-D

Temperature Method 2550-B

Turbidity Method 2130-B

Organic Pollutants

Biochemical Oxygen Demand Method 5210-B

Chemical Oxygen Demand Method 5220-C

Total Organic Carbon Method 5310-C

Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen D3590-89

Total Chlorinated Hydrocarbons APHA 509 (1)

Oil and Grease Method 5520-C

Phenols Method 5530-D

Non Organic Pollutants

Ammonia as N D1426-89

Arsenic Method 3500-As-B, 3500-As-D

Cadmium Method 3500-Cd-B, 3500-Cd-C

Chlorine (Residual) Method 4500-CI-B, 4500-CI-I, 4500-CI-G

Chromium Method 3500-Cr-B, 3500-Cr-C

Copper Method 3500-Cu-B, 3500-Cu-C

Cyanide (Total) Method 4500-Cn-E

Dissolved Oxygen Method 4500-O-G

Lead Method 3500-Pb-B, 3500-Pb-C

Mercury Method 3500-Hg-B

Nickel Method 3500-Ni-B, 3500-Ni-C

Phosphate (Total as P) D515-88

Sulfide Method 4500-S2-E

Sulfite Method 4500-SO3-B

Zinc Method 3500-Zn-B, 3500-Zn-C

Biological Pollutants

Total Coliform Method 9221-B, 9221-C

Notes:

(1) American Public Health Association, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.

(2) American Society for Testing and Materials, Annual Book of ASTM Standards.

(3) The Saudi Aramco Research & Development Center shall approve other analytical procedures for environmental monitoring.

(4) American Public Health Association, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.




Page 18 of 25

Appendix I

Jubail and Yanbu Royal Commission Jubail Boundary

ARABIAN

GULF

Notes:

1. Coordinate System: UTM (Zone39)/Int. Spheroid (1985 Horizontal Adjustment)

2. Information shown was compiled from data furnished by the royal commission. Saudi

Aramco Land Division, and Saudi Aramco Surveying Services Division Records. No

survey of this site has been made by Saudi aramco Surveying Services Dvision.

JUBAIL ROYAL

COMMISSION BOUNDARY

UTM ZONE 39




Page 19 of 25

Appendix II

Jubail and Yanbu Royal Commission Yanbu Boundary

JUBAIL

ROYAL

COMMISSION

BOUNDARY

UTM ZONE 39

YANBU ROYAL

COMMISSION BOUNDARY

UTM ZONE 37

Notes:

1. Coordinate System: UTM (Zone37) Saudi Arabia National Grid

2. Information shown was compiled from data furnished by the royal commission.

Saudi Aramco Land Division, and Saudi Aramco Surveying Services Division

Records. No survey of this site has been made by Saudi aramco Surveying Services

Division.




Page 20 of 25

Appendix III

PASS/FAIL Standard and Sampling Protocol for Toxicity Assessment of USED and UNUSED Drilling Muds

WMU/EED/EPD

Note: Before undertaking to use of Safra Oil in offshore applications the following conclusions from the EIA for drill cuttings disposal in Manifa (KFUPM, 2009) must be taken into consideration:

“It is advised to use only Water Based Mud (WBM) types such as HydroGuard or Performax instead of Safra Oil mud (OBM) for drilling activities in Manifa. Safra Oil Mud contains several chemical components which are highly toxic to marine organisms inhabiting both in the water column and sediment.”

Following is the recommended Environmental Protection Department (EPD) pass/fail limits and sampling protocol for the assessment of toxicity of used and unused water-based drilling muds in offshore operations.

Background

In order to meet pass/fail criteria, water-based muds (WBM) used for Saudi Aramco offshore drilling and workover operations must be maintained clean without any traces of diesel oil or any toxic materials. Degreasers, paints, casing thread cleaners, rust removers, rig wash additives, motor oil, as well as many other additives are very toxic chemicals. Trace amounts of these chemicals in the drilling mud will kill the Mysid shrimp in the LC50 test (Ezzat and Buraik, 1997, and references therein). Addition of approved alternative oil additives such as Safra* oil to water-based muds does not in itself constitute a waiver for offshore disposal without testing for toxicity. Safra oil is an Enhanced Mineral Oil (US EPA classification) which is an aliphatic, low aromatic, hydrocarbon distillate. The measure of Mysid shrimp toxicity* for pure (unused/without additives) Safra oil is 180,000 ppm; which warrants classification of Safra oil, under US EPA guidelines, as “practically non-toxic”. However, toxicity tests, in 1995, on three mud preparations from Zuluf indicated toxicity levels which did not meet US EPA toxicity standards (< 30,000 ppm) for offshore disposal. The US EPA has set a numerical limit of three percent (30,000 ppm) on the toxicity of drilling fluids to be discharged to sea. In 2003, EPD was made aware that additives (including diesel) are added to mud formulations before use, and that may explain the toxicity test failures in 1995. Used or unused preparations of WBM, with or without Safra oil, must meet toxicity testing limits set forth in the following section.

Recommendations

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) recommends the following:

Use the US EPA numerical limit of 30,000 ppm as pass/fail standard for toxicity of unused water-based mud preparations and used drilling muds.

Samples to be analyzed must include those from the “initial fluid make up”, if and when fluid formulations are changed during a drilling operation, and at the end of the drilling operation. Unused drilling mud formulations and used muds to be tested shall be collected from active field systems.

Samples of drilling muds are to be taken for analysis from underneath the shale shaker.

Should drilling extend beyond 1 month, drilling mud samples must be taken for analysis once every month until the completion of the drilling operation.

The criteria above apply to every well to be drilled on single or multiple well platforms, and for every platform within an active field system.




Page 21 of 25

APPENDIX III (CONT’D)

* Based on the US EPA 96-hr LC50 Acute Toxicity Test. “The 96-hour Acute Toxicity Test, a standard test adapted from the US EPA protocol** allows drilling engineers to assess the potential environmental impact of drilling fluid discharges and compare toxicity data for field muds” (Ezzat and Buraik, 1997).

** Suspended Particulate Phase (SPP) Toxicity Test. Appendix 2 to Subpart A of Part 435 - Drilling Fluids Toxicity Test (US EPA)

PASS/FAIL STANDARD AND SAMPLING PROTOCOL FOR TOXICITY ASSESSMENT OF USED AND UNUSED DRILLING MUDS

Sampling Protocol:

Muds to be Sampled No. of Samples

Standard Sampling Drill

Sites Pass/Fail Frequency

Initial Fluid Makeup 1 per well 180,000 ppm All wells* At start of drilling

Interm. Fluid Makeup* 1 per well 180,000 ppm All wells* As necessary if formulation Δ during drilling.

Used Drilling Muds 30,000 ppm

1 per well All wells*

At end of drilling or once every month if a well drilling extends beyond one month

* In an active field system

References:

Ezzat, A. M. and K.A. Al-Buraik (1997). Environmentally Acceptable Drilling Fluids for Offshore Saudi Arabia. Society of Petroleum Engineers; SPE 37718 (1997).

KFUPM (2009). Environmental Impact Assessment for Drill Cuttings Disposal at Manifa. Center for Environment and Water, KFUPM Research Institute, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.




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Appendix IV

Excerpts from PME Draft Document Kingdom of Saudi Arabia National Environmental Standard

Ambient Water Quality

Mixing Zones

a) The operator or facility will establish zones of influence from discharges which are exempt from these standards but are however, subject to the requirements of the industrial and municipal wastewater standards.

b) The following requirements apply in relation to a mixing zone in a receiving water body:

i) the zone of influence or mixing zone shall be designed in order to minimise the impact on the environment, however the absolute maximum size of a mixing zone shall be determined on a case by case basis using the methodology in Appendix C and limited to a maximum 100 m radius;

ii) acutely toxic conditions should not be reached within a mixing zone; where tested, Methods must be in accordance with 40 CFR Part 136 Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants; Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Methods; USEPA.

iii) mixing zones should not impinge on sensitive areas, such as coral reefs, recreational areas or important spawning or nursery areas for aquatic organisms;

iv) neighboring mixing zones should not merge or overlap;

v) no mixing zone should impinge the mean low water spring (MLWS) shoreline; and

vi) materials should not be discharged that settle and cause harmful or objectionable deposits; the growth of undesirable aquatic life; or result in the dominance of nuisance species.

vii) Alternative mixing zone areas may on a case by case basis be agreed by the Competent Agency to represent areas that have been designated as sites of significant economic importance (SSEI).

viii) An application for a SSEI variation must be made using the official form in Appendix D and will be supported by evidence justifying the award of a temporary permit. The significance of this evidence will be determined by the Competent Agency only.

c) Should an operator determine that the methodology specified in Appendix C is technically unachievable at a specific locality, they must produce a study to confirm the best achievable mixing zone dimensions available using BAT.

d) The method for carrying out this assessment must be approved in advance by the Competent Agency. This study must also make an assessment of the impact the new mixing zone will have upon the environment and be submitted to the Competent Agency.

Article III Classification of Water Bodies

Water Body Classification

a) The classification a waterbody receives determines the environmental quality objectives (EQOs) that apply to that water body (criteria for EQOs specified in Appendix B.

b) All water bodies must be classified either as fresh surface water, groundwater, or coastal water. The definition of each of these water-bodies is set out in Appendix A.

c) All coastal water shall be sub-divided into the following usage related classifications by the Competent Agency (as set out in Appendix A) for the purposes of monitoring ambient water quality:

i) marine;

ii) high value; or

iii) industrial.

d) Coastal waters can be further classified into being primary or secondary recreational zones if they meet the criteria, also set out in Appendix A.




Page 23 of 25

Appendix IV (Cont’d)

Changes in Classifications

a) The Competent Agency can amend usage zones following their initial classification at any time.

b) It is the responsibility of the Competent Agency to make any changes to usage zone classifications known to affected persons, facilities and operators so that the classification protects those sensitive receptors affected.

c) Where the Competent Agency is of the opinion that any coastal area of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:

i) is of special interest by reason of its flora, fauna or geological or physiographical features; or

ii) is of special character or exemption,

the Competent Agency shall update their central usage records and amend their monitoring and analysis programme accordingly.

d) The Competent Agency is obligated to verify the usage zone classification every 10 years. Verification activities will vary depending on the development of the local area during the intermittent time and changes in environmental conditions. In doing this the Competent Agency shall show due diligence in the verification process.

Classification of Water Bodies

1 – According to the requirements of Article III 2, all water bodies must be classified according

to the type of water and use. This appendix sets out the criteria for classifying usage zones.

Classification Sub-

division Code Definition

Groundwater - A Water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of geologic formations.

Fresh surface water

- B This includes all fresh waters on the ground and includes water within rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, marshes, wadis and man made reservoirs.

Coastal water Marine C1

Coastal waters are those that are under the jurisdiction of KSA (the territorial coastal waters being 12 international nautical miles (22.2 kilometres) of the shoreline). The sub-division ‘marine’ is the default when the coastal water body does not meet the criteria for ‘high-value’ or ‘industrial‘, detailed below.

Coastal water High value C2

Areas of coastal water shall be classified as ‘high value’ if they are designated as locally, nationally or internationally protected areas by any Concerned Agency (this includes but is not limited to the Competent Agency, ROPME, NCWCD and PERGSA).

Coastal water Industrial C3

Water bodies shall be classified as industrial if they are adjacent to terrestrial zones that are classified as industrial through local or national planning regulation. The extent of the aquatic environment classified as industrial will represent a seaward extension of the terrestrial boundary provided that it does not impinge upon high areas classified as C1 or C2. Furthermore, industrial ambient conditions will extend no more than a 500 meter radius from the edge of any mixing zone.




Page 24 of 25


Calculation of Mixing Zones1 in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf

C1 – Red Sea and Gulf Mixing Zones [Screening Model]

SDave = Horizontal extent of mixing zone

Where:

Dave = average water depth at outfall location2 3

XS = refer to table D1.

Table C1 – Red Sea S Values

S Example of Habitat/Area Type

2 High-value area

5 Marine classified area

8 Industrially classified area

Table C2 – Arabian Gulf S Values4

S Example of Habitat/Area Type

4 High-value area

8 Marine classified area

12 Industrially classified area

Notes:

This method represents the basic screening model for defining the maximum horizontal extent of a mixing zone.

Where modelling shows that the maximum extent of the mixing zone is unachievable, the Competent Agency must be consulted for approval on a case by case basis.

The maximum horizontal extent of the mixing zone radius will be 100 m at any time.

1 Method adapted from Jirka et al (2004). Published by the European Water Association.

2 Average depth applies where diffusion technology is utilised for discharge and must be measured at 10m increments along the

length of the diffusion apparatus. Otherwise, the depth at the end of the outfall applies. 3 For the gulf a correction factor of +10 is applied to depth to take account of local bathymetry.

4 These values are adjusted to accommodate for the conditions in the Arabian Gulf (i.e., shallow waters)

4 Horizontal radius




Page 25 of 25


Table C3 – A Look Up Table Showing the Radius of a Mixing Zone for Given Values of S and Dave for the Red Sea and Gulf of Arabia

Red Sea Depth (m) 2 5 8 Arabian Gulf Depth (m) 4 8 12

Mixing zone radius5 Mixing zone radius

5 or less 10 25 40 5 or less 20 40 60

6 12 30 48 6 24 48 72

7 14 35 56 7 28 56 84

8 16 40 64 8 32 64 96

9 18 45 72 9 36 72 100

10 20 50 80 10 40 80

11 22 55 88 11 44 88

12 24 60 96 12 48 96

13 26 65 100 13 52 100

14 28 70 14 56

15 30 75 15 60

16 32 80 16 64

17 34 85 17 68

18 36 90 18 72

19 38 95 19 76

20 40 100 20 80

21 42 21 84

22 44 22 88

23 46 23 92

24 48 24 96

25 50 25 100

26 52 26

27 54 27

28 56 28

29 58 29

30 60 30

31 62 31

32 64 32

33 66 33

34 68 34

35 70 35

36 72 36

37 74 37

38 76 38

39 78 39

40 80 40

41 82 41

42 84 42

43 86 43

44 88 44

45 90 45

46 92 46

47 94 47

48 96 48

49 98 49

50 100 50

5 Horizontal radius