Resolution CONAMA No. 393 providing for the continuous disposal of process or production water on offshore oil and natural gas platforms.

This Resolution, consisting of 16 articles, provides for the continuous disposal of process or production water on offshore oil and natural gas platforms, as well as establishes standards for the disposal of oils and greases, and defines monitoring parameters. Process waters may only be discharged, directly or indirectly, in the sea if comply with conditions, standards and requirements set forth in this Resolution and if do not change characteristics of the water class for the defined area, with the exception of the mixing zone. For the purpose of this Resolution, the mixing zone is limited to a radius of 500 m from the discharging point. For platforms at less than 12 nautical miles from the coast, the possibility of discharging process water and its conditions will be defined by the competent environmental authority based on a water dispersion study. The disposal of process water within a radius of less than 10 km of conservation units and 5 km of ecologically sensitive areas is prohibited.