5 Sampling Program

Think of small pits as one or more areas of a larger pit and sample accordingly. Large facility impoundments, typically, receive the full spectrum of E&P wastes, which can be broadly classified into three major groups:

1. Weathered drilling fluids and drill cuttings from past operations

2. Recent spent drilling wastes reflecting newer formulations and∕or

3. Tank bottoms, and other produced liquids and sludges

Impoundments source variability, for example, size, and natural segregation of materials with depth and distance from the point of discharge, presents a challenge for obtaining representative samples. Representative samples are fundamental for characterization of pit content parameter variability. This variability, in turn, is necessary in establishing the scientific validity and relevance of the analytical measurements.