Waste disposal of contaminated drill cuttings from geological drilling using drilling fluid systems containing mineral oil
AssigneesHenkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien, Baroid Limited
InventorsClaus-Peter Herold, Heinz Mueller, Stephan von Tapavizca, Malcolm Ellice, Douglas John Grimes
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Abstract
Described is the use of ecologically compatible, and more particularly of biologically degradable, oils having flash points of above 80.degree. C. for washing mineral oil-loaded drill cuttings prior to the disposal thereof by off-shore and/or on-shore deposition. For the use as wash oils there are preferred aerobically and/or anaerobically degradable low-viscosity oils are employed which are also suitable for being used as a mixture component of the continuous oil phase of W/O invert drilling fluids.
Claims13
The process of washing drill cuttings containing mineral oil prior to disposal of said drill cuttings comprising washing said drill cuttings with a wash fluid consisting essentially of biologically-degradable oils having a flash point of about 80.degree. C. selected from the group consisting of oleophilic monocarboxylic acid esters, oleophilic polycarboxylic acid esters, corresponding ethers, alcohols, or partial ethers thereof, and oleophilic carbonic acid esters, whereby said mineral oil is removed by said biologically-degradable oils.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.