OIL AND GAS WELL CUTTINGS DISPOSAL SYSTEM WITH CONTINUOUS VACUUM OPERATION FOR SEQUENTIALLY FILLING DISPOSAL TANKS

摘要

A method and apparatus of removing drill cuttings from an oil and gas well drilling platform includes the steps of separating the drill cuttings from the well drilling fluid on the drilling platform so that the drilling fluid can be recycled into the well bore during drilling operations. The cuttings are then transmitted via gravity flow to a material trough (11) having an interior defined by sidewalls (27) and a bottom portion. The drill cuttings are suctioned from the bottom portion of the trough interior with a suction line (22) having an intake portion (23) that is positioned at the material trough bottom. Drill cuttings are transmitted via the suction line to a pair of hoppers (201, 205) that each have an interior (204). A vacuum is formed in sequence within the interior of each hopper using a blower that is in fluid communication with the hopper interiors. The two hoppers are positioned one above the other so that cuttings can be added to the first upper hopper via the suction line (40) and then fed by gravity to the second, lower hopper. A valving arrangement (211) maintains vacuum within the interior of at least one hopper at all times. A conduit (208) discharges from the lower hopper into a selected holding tank (209) so that a number of holding tanks can be filled in sequential, continuous fashion. As one tank is filled, the conduit is directed to the next holding tank.