Product Overview

Summary: This Environmental Protection in Drilling SOP sets out clear, practical steps to control environmental risks associated with exploration and production drilling in Australia. It helps your business prevent spills, protect land and waterways, and demonstrate due diligence under WHS and environmental legislation while maintaining efficient drilling operations.

Drilling activities – whether for mining, oil and gas, geotechnical investigations or water bores – carry significant environmental risks, including soil and water contamination, uncontrolled drilling fluids, waste mismanagement and disturbance to sensitive habitats. This Environmental Protection in Drilling Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step‑by‑step approach for planning, executing and demobilising drilling works in a way that minimises environmental harm while integrating seamlessly with your WHS management system. It translates regulatory obligations into clear field instructions that drill crews and supervisors can actually follow on remote sites and high‑pressure projects.

The SOP covers the full drilling lifecycle: from pre‑start environmental risk assessment and selection of drilling fluids, through containment of cuttings and wastewater, spill prevention and response, to rehabilitation and waste disposal in line with Australian requirements. It clarifies responsibilities between the drilling contractor, principal contractor and client, reducing ambiguity and compliance gaps. By implementing this SOP, your business can demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and landholders, reduce the likelihood of costly clean‑ups and project delays, and support your environmental management plans, approvals and licence conditions across Australian jurisdictions.

Key Benefits

• Ensure drilling activities are carried out in line with Australian environmental and WHS legislation and client environmental management requirements.
• Reduce the risk of soil and groundwater contamination from drilling fluids, fuels, lubricants and cuttings.
• Standardise environmental controls across all drilling crews and sites, improving consistency and auditability.
• Minimise project downtime, clean‑up costs and reputational damage associated with environmental incidents and non‑compliance.
• Support successful approvals, stakeholder engagement and land access negotiations by demonstrating robust environmental practices.

Who is this for?

• Drilling Supervisors
• Rig Managers
• WHS Managers
• Environmental Advisors
• Operations Managers
• Project Engineers
• Site Supervisors
• HSE Coordinators
• Exploration Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors

Hazards Addressed

• Spills and leaks of fuel, oil, hydraulic fluid and drilling muds
• Contamination of surface water and groundwater from drilling activities
• Uncontrolled discharge or overflow of drilling fluids and cuttings
• Improper storage, handling and disposal of hazardous substances and drilling wastes
• Soil erosion and sediment run‑off from drill pads, sumps and access tracks
• Noise and dust emissions affecting nearby communities and sensitive receptors
• Disturbance to flora, fauna and culturally sensitive or heritage sites
• Manual handling and exposure risks associated with spill clean‑up and waste handling

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Approvals
• 5.0 Pre‑Drilling Environmental Planning and Risk Assessment
• 6.0 Site Selection, Access and Drill Pad Preparation
• 7.0 Environmental Induction and Training Requirements
• 8.0 Drilling Fluids, Additives and Chemical Management
• 9.0 Fuel, Oil and Hazardous Substance Storage and Handling
• 10.0 Spill Prevention, Containment and Spill Response Procedure
• 11.0 Management of Cuttings, Wastewater and Sumps
• 12.0 Noise, Dust and Emissions Controls
• 13.0 Protection of Surface Water, Groundwater and Sensitive Environments
• 14.0 Flora, Fauna and Cultural Heritage Protection Measures
• 15.0 Waste Segregation, Storage, Transport and Disposal
• 16.0 Routine Environmental Inspections and Monitoring
• 17.0 Incident Reporting, Notification and Corrective Actions
• 18.0 Demobilisation, Site Rehabilitation and Landholder Handover
• 19.0 Recordkeeping, Auditing and Continuous Improvement
• 20.0 Document Control and Review

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
• Relevant state and territory environmental protection and pollution control legislation (e.g. NSW Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• AS/NZS ISO 14001: Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
• Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) – for protection of potable water sources (where applicable)
• Industry‑specific guidelines for drilling and exploration issued by relevant state resources or mining regulators