Disposal and reclamation of drilling wastes

摘要

Drilling cuttings comprising usable gravel, silts, clays and spent drilling fluid are reclaimed and disposed of during or after the process of drilling a well by separating construction-grade gravel from the drilling fluid and washing the gravel, if necessary, prior to storage or placing it in use as construction material. Solids not reclaimed for construction use are formed as a slurry and conducted to an injection well by and through centrifugal pumps or mechanical agitators for dispersing the fine solids in the slurry to aid in the injection process. Gravel wash water may be used as a component of the waste slurry and the slurry may be conditioned for injection by the addition of surfactants and dispersants.