DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE DRILLING FLUIDS

植物油和水的微乳化创新技术已被开发出来，以创造新一代的石油勘探工业使用的低毒性钻井液。该项目旨在研究新一代钻井液对鱼类的慢性毒性，并重新配制钻井液，以尽量减少有毒成分。将在长期暴露于钻井液或其成分的鱼类中探索暴露和影响的生物标志物，例如但不限于EROD诱导、DNA损伤和应激蛋白。成果包括环境可接受的钻井液，并将代表数百万美元的农业和制造业在澳大利亚的起点。

An innovative technique of micro-emulsion of vegetable oils and water has been developed to create a new generation, low-toxicity drilling fluids for use by the petroleum exploration industry. The project aims at investigating the chronic toxicity of new generation drilling fluids to fish, and re-formulate the drilling fluids to minimize the toxic ingredients. Biomarkers of exposure and effects such as, but not limited to, EROD induction, DNA damage and stress proteins will be explored in fish exposed chronically to drilling fluids or their ingredients. Outcomes include environmentally acceptable drilling fluids, and will represent the start point for multi-million dollars agriculture and manufacturing industry in Australia.