Ecotoxicological risk assessment related to chemicals and pollutants in off-shore oil production.

Offshore oil production results in environmental discharges of drill cuttings and produced water, contaminated with residuals of exploration and production (E&P) chemicals and formation chemicals. Ecotoxicological risk assessment has been adopted as a tool in environmental chemical management (i.e. reduction of the use and environmental release of chemicals, use of 'green chemicals' and application of non-chemical alternatives). This paper presents an introduction to the basic principles of ecotoxicological risk assessment of offshore E&P chemicals, as it is elaborated in the internationally harmonised CHARM model. In northwestern Europe, this model is used for the purpose of E&P chemicals, notification and environmental care within the offshore oil industry.