Drill Cuttings Research Articles

Investigation of the emission and leaching behavior of characteristic heavy metals in sintered bricks prepared from oil-based drill cutting residues

Oil-based drill cutting residues (OBDCR) are hazardous waste generated by the thermal desorption of oil-based drill cuttings. Recently, the utilization of OBDCR as building materials has attracted extensive attention, but the environmental risks during preparation and long-term usage remained unclear. In this study, OBDCR with a 40 % (wt./wt.) mixing ratio was used to prepare sintered bricks, and the emission and leaching behaviors of Ba, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cr, and Pb were investigated. The results indicated that the addition of OBDCR in bricks showed insignificant increase in the emission of Ba, Mn, Zn, Ni, and Cr, whereas the emission of Pb slight decreased from 10.5 to 8.6 μg/m3. The volatilization rates of these heavy metals were considerably low, with Ni showed the highest volatilization rate of only 1.45 % in OBDCR bricks. Moreover, the leaching behavior of Ba, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cr, and Pb in bricks were studied. The results indicated that surface wash-off was the main controlling leaching mechanism of Ba and Cr, whereas the leaching of Mn, Zn, Ni, and Pb was controlled by diffusion. The Elovich and second-order kinetic equation were identified as the leaching models for Mn, Zn, Pb, and Ni. The life-time leaching predictions of OBDCR bricks indicated that the leaching of Ni and Mn after 10 and 20 years of leaching were 0.1529, 0.257, 0.1530, and 0.274 mg/L, respectively, exceeding the relevant standards. Therefore, the leaching risks of Ni and Mn should be emphasized when using OBDCR bricks with a 40 % OBDCR mixing ratio.

Influence of the Addition of Boiler Slag from the Novocherkassk SDPP on the Properties of Aluminosilicate Materials Based on Drill Cuttings from the Vostochno-Chumakovskoye Oil Field

Influence of the Addition of Boiler Slag from the Novocherkassk SDPP on the Properties of Aluminosilicate Materials Based on Drill Cuttings from the Vostochno-Chumakovskoye Oil Field

Comparison of indentation test results and well-logging data for estimation of uniaxial compressive strength and Young’s modulus

Indentation test results and well-logging data are indirect methods of estimating Young’s modulus (E) and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS). The current study compared the results of indirect methods for a well in an oil field in southern Iran. The indentation tests were conducted by an indenter with a diameter of 260 µn on over 500 drill cuttings. The axial load versus displacement curve was used to determine the indentation modulus (IM) and critical transfer force (CTF) for each drill cutting. Indentation tests were performed perpendicularly and parallel to the weakness surface and were determined CTFV, IMV, CTFP, and IMV. The shear and compressive wave velocity (VS and VP ) for the well-logging data were determined and the UCS and static Young’s modulus (Esta.) were determined. Empirical equations for UCS-CTFV, UCS-CTFP, UCS-IMV, UCS-IMP, Esta-CTFV, Esta-CTFP, Esta-IMV, and Esta–IMP were proposed. It was determined that the relationships between UCS-CTFV and Esta-CTFV were more valid and meaningful than the other relationships. Therefore, it is suggested that the indentation test be performed perpendicular to drill cuttings with a weakness surface. The results showed that the values obtained for CTFV and IMV were 20% higher than for CTFP and IMP.

Technology Focus: Drilling and Completion Fluids (November 2024)

This year’s primary selections for the Drilling and Completion Fluids Technology Focus reflect now-well-established industrywide emphases on machine learning (ML), automation, and the achievement of successful drilling of CO2 storage wells. Enhanced methods of modeling and monitoring allow time and cost savings while surpassing safety goals and furthering efforts to optimize CO2 storage. Paper OTC 35433 discusses a study centered on accurate gel-strength estimation. The authors leverage ML techniques, particularly the use of artificial neural networks, to develop predictive models for forecasting the gel strength of synthetic oil-based mud systems at both 10-second and 10-minute intervals, surpassing the precision and speed of techniques based on traditional rotational viscometers. In a similar vein, paper SPE 216322 seeks to bypass traditional manual methods of monitoring drilling fluids, its authors describing a novel online system that measures 10 key parameters continuously. They write that the system has been field-trialed across 200 wells with results that highlight the system’s reliability, with continuous operation for over 125 days. Finally, paper SPE 217711 involves evaluating the effects of an influx of CO2 into drilling fluids, a key task in the drilling of CO2 storage wells. Concentrating on oil-based drilling fluid, the presented study describes the development and integration of models for properties of drilling-fluid/CO2 mixtures into an existing software suite. Recommended-reading papers include an investigation of the use of microwave power in recovering oil from contaminated drill cuttings, reduction of the carbon footprint of drilling fluids, and sedimentation behavior of particles in fibrous sweep fluids. As always, the long-sighted ambition of such research, and the skill applied in its pursuit, reflects the commitment to excellence embodied by the authors of technical papers presented at SPE conferences. Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org. SPE 217140 Microwave-Assisted Technique for Oil Recovery From Oily Sludge Shale Drilled Cuttings by A. Agi, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, et al. OTC 34667 Successful Decarbonization of Drilling Fluids by Using Highly Efficient Technology and Reduced Chemical Usage, Logistics, and Casing Sections by Gerardo Jardinez, Pemex, et al. SPE 218631 Application of Machine-Learning Method for Modeling Settling Behavior of a Spherical Particle in Fibrous Drilling Fluids by R.M. Elgaddafi, Australian University, et al.

Transformation Mechanism of Organic Matter in the Treatment of Petroleum-Based Drilling Cuttings by the Hammermill Thermal Desorption Cutting Treatment System

Transformation Mechanism of Organic Matter in the Treatment of Petroleum-Based Drilling Cuttings by the Hammermill Thermal Desorption Cutting Treatment System

Drill cuttings from oil exploration improve properties of substrate and growth of Ipê-branco ( Tabebuia roseoalba ) seedlings

ABSTRACT More information is needed on the potential of using drill cuttings (crushed rocks) from the oil industry in agriculture and forestry. An experiment in forest nursery was carried out to evaluate the influence of substrates formulated from onshore gravel on characteristics of Ipê-branco (Tabebuia roseoalba) seedlings (i.e., growth, quality, and nutrition). We used five gravimetric proportions of gravel from drill cuttings mixed with Pinus-bark - commercial substrate (Mecplant® Florestal 3): control with only commercial substrate and zero gravel (G0), 2.5 % gravel (G2.5), 5 % gravel (G5), 7.5 % gravel (G7.5), and 10 % gravel (G10). In general, high proportion of drill cuttings increases density and decrease current moisture and total porosity of the formulated substrates. The drill cuttings proportions G2.5, G5 and G7.5 significantly contributed to the available water and readily available water in these substrates, with percentage values ranging 23 – 30 % higher than the G10 substrate. Increasing the gravel proportion generally resulted in increased pH levels, P, Na, K and metals (Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Cd, Zn, Cr and Pb), except for Ca and Mg nutrients that decreased. Heavy metal contents in all substrates did not exceed the permissible values in legal standards. The G2.5 and G5 substrates increased by 20 % approximately the stem diameter and height of seedlings, and G2.5 proportion also affected the root dry mass and Dickson quality index, with values two times higher than G0 substrate. Multivariate analysis proved suitable as a complementary approach to evaluate the seedling quality. Drilling cuttings addition, in general, increased the accumulation of nutrients and heavy metals of the Ipê-branco seedlings, and G2.5 and G5 substrates provided the greatest accumulation of the nutrients P, Ca, Pb and Zn in the shoot, while G2.5 proportion contributed with higher accumulation of N, Ca, Fe, Cr, Mn and Pb in the root. Adding drill cuttings as a conditioning component of the substrate at 2.5 and 5 % proportions is a viable alternative for using this residue to produce high-quality Tabebuia roseoalba seedling.

Utilization Status of Oil-Based Drilling Cutting Pyrolysis Residues in The Field of Building Materials

The exploitation of shale gas generates a large amount of oil-based drill cuttings, which are harmful to the environment due to their content of petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and organic pollutants. Thermal desorption technology is one of the main techniques for treating oil-based drill cuttings. This paper focuses on oil-based drilling cutting pyrolysis residues and summarizes its current research status in the construction materials field. Currently, the application of oil-based drilling cutting pyrolysis residues has achieved certain results in road fill, cement production, ceramsite production, and wall materials, and further exploration and development are needed in the future to develop high value-added products and expand the pathways for the high-value utilization of oil residues.

Scaled-up production and recovery of lipopeptide biosurfactant and its application for washing petroleum-contaminated drill cuttings

A simple and efficient fermentation strategy using chitosan-immobilized Bacillus subtilis GY19 was developed for large-scale lipopeptide production from waste glycerol and palm oil. When a fed-batch fermentation approach was employed, excessive foaming was minimized, while lipopeptide production was greater than that of conventional batch fermentation. When a 700L stirred tank fermenter with a 400L working volume was used, a lipopeptide concentration and yield of 7.55g/L and 0.190g/g of substrate, respectively, were achieved. The pilot-scale recovery process involved sequential bacterial cell removal via centrifugation, elimination of impurities through acidification of the cell-free broth, and partial purification and concentration of the lipopeptides via ultrafiltration. A 5kDa stabilized cellulose-based membrane maintained a constant permeate flux and resulted in 67.2% lipopeptide recovery. The concentrated lipopeptide retentate contained 16.8g/L lipopeptides and a surface tension of 28.82 mN/m. A biobased washing agent for the treatment of petroleum-contaminated drill cuttings was later formulated with the retentate and various vegetable oil-based surfactants via the simplex−lattice mixture design methodology. The mixture of 1% retentate and 4% fatty alcohol ethoxylate 5EO presented the greatest removal efficiency of 83.2% for drill cuttings containing 15% (w/w) total petroleum hydrocarbons. The formulation also mobilized petroleum hydrocarbons into a distinct free oil layer, which would be easy to separate and subsequently recycle. These findings demonstrate the scalability of the lipopeptide production and recovery process, while the biobased washing agent offers an environmentally friendly approach for petroleum remediation.

Optimization screening, performance and mechanism analysis of green and low-carbon surfactants for oil-based drilling cuttings treatment

Oil-Based Drilling Cuttings (OBDC) have attracted extensive attention from scholars due to their high annual generation and high toxicity. At present, the thermal cleaning technology of surfactant is one of the research hotspots for treating OBDC, but it still faces the problems of high toxicity of surfactant, high carbon emission and unknown treatment mechanism. Therefore, we sequentially optimized screening the surfactants through the perspectives of greenness, treatment performance and costs, and low-carbon. A single-variable experiment was used to optimize the process parameters for treating OBDC, and the oil removal mechanism was explored by oil droplet size, TSI, Zeta potential and SARA fractions. The SLM was the most green and low carbon surfactant in this study, and had a better treatment performance for OBDC (51.56% oil removal rate). The optimal treatment parameters for SLM treatment of OBDC were 70 °C, 45 min, 300 r/min, 1:4 (solid/liquid) and pH 8.2. The lipophilic groups of SLM "striped" the asphaltenes and saturates in oil phase from the solid phase surface and "integrated" them into the water phase by its hydrophilic group. The mean value of the oil droplet sizes (Dmean) and Turbiscan stability index (TSI) value of the OBDC-water mixtures increased and the |Zeta potential| decreased after treatment, and the mixture system became more unstable, which promotes the subsequent separation of the oil phase from the solid phase.

Mechanism Study on Synergistic Effect of Microorganisms and Magnesium Oxide on Cementing Drill Cuttings

Mechanism Study on Synergistic Effect of Microorganisms and Magnesium Oxide on Cementing Drill Cuttings

Applying Magnetic Susceptibility to Estimate Permeability From Drill Cuttings: A Case Study Constraining Uncertainty in the Culzean Triassic Reservoir

Applying Magnetic Susceptibility to Estimate Permeability From Drill Cuttings: A Case Study Constraining Uncertainty in the Culzean Triassic Reservoir

Applying Knowledge-Based and Data-Driven Methods to Improve Ore Grade Control of Blast Hole Drill Cuttings Using Hyperspectral Imaging

Applying Knowledge-Based and Data-Driven Methods to Improve Ore Grade Control of Blast Hole Drill Cuttings Using Hyperspectral Imaging

Microbial Synergistic Active Magnesium Oxide Solidification of Water-Based Drilling Cuttings and Analysis of Its Durability Strength Loss Mechanism

Microbial Synergistic Active Magnesium Oxide Solidification of Water-Based Drilling Cuttings and Analysis of Its Durability Strength Loss Mechanism

Fracability Modeling in Shale Hydrocarbon Development Based on Geomechanical Analysis of Well Log and Mineralogy Analysis of Drill Cuttings: A Case Study of the Lower Baong Fm and the Belumai Fm of the NSB-001 Well in the North Sumatra Basin, Indonesia

Abstract The North Sumatra Basin, Indonesia has a very large shale hydrocarbon potential, especially from the Lower Baong Formation and the Belumai Formation. The Belumai and Lower Baong Formations were deposited in the Early Miocene - Middle Miocene, in transgression conditions, when the North Sumatra Basin was in the regional sagging phase. These conditions greatly affect the facies and diagenetic changes of quartz, smectite and kaolinite minerals in rock fracability. The main problem in producing shale hydrocarbons is the very low permeability of unconventional-shale-reservoirs, so that at the production stage of shale hydrocarbon, a fracability model is needed as a basis for planning hydraulic fracking, thus the fractures are connected to each other and can flow the hydrocarbon fluid optimally. From the results of previous studies, it was shown that the shale hydrocarbon fracability value was controlled by lithofacies, and correlated with rock brittleness, brittle mineral content, clay content, and compressive strength. The fracability model is used to determine fracable zone intervals as a candidate for hydraulic fracking, by using geomechanical analysis of well log data and mineralogy analysis of drill cuttings data from the NSB-001 well as a case study. Based on the correlation results of lithology (Mud Log), mineralogy analysis, MBT, and TOC (Drill Cuttings), the sweetpot fracable window (fracable zone interval) can be determined, which is correlated with the presence of fracture barrier.

Technologies to improve wellbore cleaning

Relevance. The main technological process when constructing oil and gas wells is effective wellbore cleaning, especially when drilling horizontal and deviated wells. The article deals with the peculiarities of wellbore drilling technology according to the traditional method in combination with water and hydrocarbon-based polymer-clay solutions, as well as improvement of drilling mud removal properties taking into account density, drilling pump productivity, rheological parameters of the fluid, geometry of the well annulus, shape and concentration of drill cuttings particles. Insufficient cleaning of the well bottom hole causes undesirable phenomena leading to various complications. The object of the research is the technology of cuttings transportation along the wellbore to the surface. The basic formulas characterizing the work of interchangeable hydromonitor nozzles are given. The quality of wellbore cleaning depends on the degree of flow turbulence. Aim. To develop technical solutions that contribute to improving the quality of wellbore cleaning. Methods. Optimal geometrical parameters of hydraulic nozzles for double-deck anti-vibration bit and design of drill pipes with helical ribs have been established by experimental works. Results and conclusions. A double-deck anti-vibration bit with interchangeable hydro-monitor nozzles and drill pipes with helical ribs were developed. Implementation of these developments in the practice of drilling operations will improve the quality of wellbore cleaning by creating a turbulent regime of drilling fluid flow.

Research on the flow characteristics of blasthole stemming slurry in open-pit mining

The flow characteristics of blasthole stemming slurry (BSS), predominantly comprising yellow mud (YM), tail mud (TM), or drilling cuttings (DC), were systematically investigated. Various influencing factors, including slurry mass concentration, the addition of TM or DC, and the mass ratio of TM to YM (TM/YM) and DC to YM (DC/YM), were meticulously examined. Experiments were conducted to assess the fluidity, rheological properties, and bleeding rate of BSS samples, which were prepared by manipulating slurry mass concentration and the proportions of TM or DC. The results indicate that the rheological properties of BSS are suitably described by the Herschel-Bulkley model. A critical mass concentration was identified, beyond which the flowability of BSS rapidly deteriorates. Replacing YM with an equivalent amount of TM at a mass concentration of 59% increased the yield stress by 167.30%, while reducing the bleeding rate to 0 within the 53%–59% mass concentration range. Conversely, replacing YM with DC at a mass concentration of 62% reduced the yield stress by 63.96%, while increasing the 60-minute bleeding rate from 0% to 1.44%. Increasing the TM/YM ratio resulted in reduced fluidity, elevated yield stress, and a variable degree of shear thickening. The degree of shear thickening was highest when the TM/YM ratio was 1, with significant impacts on differential viscosity at higher shear rates. On the other hand, increasing the DC/YM ratio enhanced fluidity, decreased yield stress, and influenced the degree of shear thickening and differential viscosity, with the highest shear thickening and lowest differential viscosity observed at a DC/YM ratio of 3. The bleeding rate of BSS consistently rose with the increase in the DC/YM ratio.

Исследование закономерностей изменения солевого состава буровых шламов в процессе их утилизации

Drill cuttings in their natural state have viscous-plastic properties; in a dry state they are cohesive and hard. This is due to the content of sodium ions in the absorbing complex. Features of the physical and mechanical properties of drill cuttings indicate its ability to absorb and retain dissolved salts. When gypsum is added to drill cuttings in different percentages of the waste volume, the concentration of chloride ion changes in all samples, and chloride-sulfate salinization is observed. The content of sulfate ion increases with a minimum volume fraction of gypsum application. The addition of gypsum in a volume fraction of 15 and 20% affects the reduction of phosphate and carbonate ions. A change in electrical conductivity indicates an increase in the concentration of water-soluble salts in the water extract, which is confirmed by a direct high correlation. When adding gypsum from 7–20% volume fractions, a significant reduction in the dense residue occurs. The use of gypsum increases the filtration capacity of drill cuttings. The use of gypsum makes it possible to lighten the granulometric composition of drill cuttings due to the active coagulation of colloids. As a result of the removal of water-soluble salts, optimal water-physical properties of drill cuttings are created, structuring and filtration properties of drill cuttings are increased. A mathematical model for predicting the dissolution of salts in drill cuttings allows taking into account uncontrollable factors (density, particle size distribution, filtration coefficient, content of water-soluble salts).

RockDNet: Deep Learning Approach for Lithology Classification

Analyzing rock and underground layers is known as drill core lithology. The extracted core sample helps not only in exploring the core properties but also reveals the lithology of the entire surrounding area. Automating rock identification from drill cuttings is a key element for efficient reservoir characterization, replacing the current subjective and time-consuming manual process. The recent advancements in computer hardware and deep learning technology have enabled the automatic classification of various applications, and lithology is not an exception. This work aims to design an automated method for rock image classification using deep learning technologies. A novel CNN (Convolution Neural Network) is proposed for lithology classification in addition to thorough comparison with benchmark CNN models. The proposed CNN model has the advantageous of having very low complexity while maintaining high accuracy. Experimental results on rock mages taken from the “digitalrocksportal” database demonstrate the ability of the proposed method to classify three classes, carbonate, sandstone and shale rocks, with high accuracy, and comparisons with related work demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed model, with more than 98% saving in parameters.

Comparison of Phosphogypsum-Steel Slag-Based cement and Portland cement for stabilization of heavy metals in oil-based drillings cuttings

This research compared Portland cement and Phosphogypsum-Steel Slag-Based (PSSB) cement in terms of their capabilities to stabilize heavy metals (specifically lead and nickel) in Oil-Based Drill Cuttings (OBDC). In the experimental section, the qualitative analysis of heavy metal constituents in OBDC was captured by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Additionally, an acetic acid leaching test was implemented for the heavy metal leaching concentration to evaluate the ceramsite stabilization effect on OBDC. In the simulation phase, cement models, heavy metal ion models, and stabilization models were constructed to explore the stabilization mechanism of heavy metals. Results demonstrated that PSSB cement exhibits superior stabilization effects on OBDC compared to Portland cement. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (FAAS) tests showed that PSSB cement reduced Ni and Pb leaching by 21.87 % and 47.32 %, respectively, compared to Portland cement. In PSSB cement, the diffusion coefficients for Ni and Pb ions were observed to decrease by 42.92 % and 79.63 %, respectively, as revealed through Mean Square Displacement (MSD) analysis. The cohesive energy of PSSB cement was 76.73 % lower than that of Portland cement, and its interaction energies for stabilizing Ni and Pb ions were 59.43 % and 76.22 % lower, respectively, demonstrating greater stability and efficiency in metal stabilization. PSSB cement exhibited lower heavy metal concentration and better structural stability than Portland cement.

Encapsulated Fluorescent Tags to Label Drill Cuttings for Improved Depth Correlation: A Field Application

Encapsulated Fluorescent Tags to Label Drill Cuttings for Improved Depth Correlation: A Field Application