The Pilot Recycled Drill Cuttings Road: Utilisation of Onshore Drill Cuttings Waste for Road Application

Abstract

Abstract This project focuses on development of method to recycle the onshore drill cuttings waste and use them in road application. The hazardous characteristics of the drill cuttings waste are also tested and evaluated to address concerns in both safety and environment aspects. The project goals are to recycle drill cuttings waste into new use, reduce environmental footprint and waste management cost, as well as promote corporate social responsibility and sustainability development. Potential use of drill cuttings contaminated with synthetic based mud as part of material for road application were investigated. Samples of the drill cuttings were tested for presence of heavy metal. Laboratory tests were performed to evaluate suitable percentage of drill cuttings to be incorporate into aggregate for road pavement. Pilot recycled drill cuttings road was constructed at PTTEP Rapid Scale-Up Center. The environmental impact assessment on soil, surface water, and underground water around pilot road areas are also carried out to investigate potential environmental impact of the pilot road. Results on heavy metal tests indicate that the drill cuttings are non-hazard with concentration of heavy metal within standards specified in the Department of Mineral Fuel Notification on Petroleum Waste Management dated 28 Feb 2013 and is safe for recycling in road application. Laboratory tests performed in collaboration with the Department of Rural Road indicate that 6% of drill cuttings can be incorporated into aggregate for construction of binding course and wearing course of hot-mixed asphalt road. A 1.2-kilometer pilot recycled drill cuttings road with 6% drill cutting incorporated was then constructed at PTTEP Rapid Scale-Up Center (RASC). The pilot road is used as an access road and road surrounding the PTTEP RASC. Samples of soil around pilot area as well as surface water and underground water from public water and from water drains nearest to the pilot road areas were taken for analysis prior to and after the construction of the pilot recycled drill cuttings road to investigate potential leakage and to assess potential environmental impact of the pilot road to the public water. The water analysis results are within acceptable standards in accordance to the Notification of the National Environmental Board. The pilot recycled drill cuttings road project is consulted and endorsed by the Department of Mineral Fuel and is the first implementation on drill cutting waste utilization in Thailand. It offers cost effective and environmentally sound recycling method for drill cutting waste management and serve as example of circular model for exploration and production waste.