Operator Uses Innovative MVCD and Recovers 540 bbl. OBM

Overview

An operator drilling remote oil wells on the North Slope of Alaska wanted to reduce its overall waste management costs, while also complying with strict environmental regulations. Two main goals of this project were: 1) dry the cuttings to a low enough level, so they could be disposed of at an inexpensive, close-by water-based mud (WBM) cuttings disposal facility, and 2) remove as much oil-based mud (OBM) from the cuttings as possible, to reduce cuttings volume and save recovered fluids for future drilling operations.

MVCD System Offers Economical Solution to Waste Disposal

Baroid supplied a Mobile Vertical Cuttings Dryer (MVCD) as an all-in-one package to catch cuttings directly from the rig during the OBM phases of the well. It also served to lower the oil on cuttings ratio of oil-based fluids to an acceptable limit for waste disposal. After discharge from the dryer, these cuttings were hauled off and mixed with water-based cuttings. The OBM that was recovered from the dryer was returned to the mud plant for conditioning prior to reuse. A significant cost benefit of this mobile unit was the virtual elimination of stand-by time, as well as its self-contained power source that eliminated reliance on rig power.

Successful First-Ever use of MCVD in Alaska

The deployment of Baroid personnel to oversee the project ensured smooth operations. The first-time use of the MVCD system in Alaska was a success from an environmental and cost-effectiveness standpoint. The operator was able to dry its drill cuttings to a low oil retention on cuttings (ROC) percentage for easier transportation and cheaper waste disposal. With an average ROC of 2.35%, the waste could be mixed with water-based cuttings for processing at a nearby disposal facility. Furthermore, the 540 bbl. OBM recovery/reuse helped the operator realize a saving of USD 160k . And this was all accomplished without any NPT or safety incidents.