Discharge of alkanes during offshore oil production in the buccaneer oilfield

Conclusions

We have characterized the alkane content of the discharged brine from both production platforms in the Buccaneer oilfield over a period of eleven months, from April, 1976 to March, 1977. The mean concentration of C₁₂-C₃₆ alkanes was approximately 2 ppm (2 mg/l). The mean rate of discharge of brine in the field is approximately 600 bbl (95,400 l) per day. The mean rate of discharge of alkanes per day, therefore, is 191 g. Additional research is required to determine the rate of dispersion of these alkanes, their pool size in the vicinity of the production platforms, and their significance relative to alkanes of biogenic origin.