Method and apparatus for moving drilled cuttings by way of positive pneumatic pressure

摘要

A method for moving drilled cuttings comprises the step of receiving wet drilled cuttings from at least one of a shale shaker, centrifuge and hydrocyclone, characterised in that the method comprises the step of drying the wet drilled cuttings to produce dried drilled cuttings and moving the dried drilled cuttings using positive pneumatic pressure through a tube to a tertiary apparatus. The dried drilled cuttings may comprise solids and moisture and are 1% to 3% moisture to solids by weight. The dried drilled cuttings may be fed into the tube with a blow tank. The method may further comprise the step of obtaining secondary drilling fluid and small cuttings resulting from the step of drying, these small cuttings and drilling fluid may be recycled for reuse in a drilling operation. Also disclosed is an oil rig comprising an apparatus for moving drilled cuttings material which have been separated from a drilled cuttings laden mud, the apparatus comprising a cuttings processor 110 for drying wet drilled cuttings, a blow tank 120 for receiving the dried drilled cuttings and means 115 for supplying gas to move the dried drilled cuttings along a tube 121 under positive pressure to a tertiary apparatus CB.