The Environmental Protec-tion Agency (EPA) has reaffirmed its dedication to overseeing produced water discharge (PWD) by the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels operating in the offshore oil and gas production. The announcement comes as part of the EPA’s broader mission to negate any possible harm due to extraction.
Produced water, a byproduct of offshore oil and gas extraction, contains a mixture of chemicals, pollutants, and naturally occurring substances that can harm aquatic ecosystems if not properly managed. Recognizing the potential environmental impact, the EPA said, it was taking a proactive stance to regulate and monitor PWD, with an emphasis on encouraging responsible industry practices.