Method and apparatus for handling and disposal of oil and gas well drill cuttings

Apparatus for use in disposing of drill cuttings from an oil and/or gas well drilling marine platform, comprising:

• a) a processing tank to which said drill cuttings are transported;
• b) a blending device that can break up drill cuttings to reduce their size said blending device being positioned in a flow path that communicates with the tank;
• c) a work boat floating next to the platform;
• and
• d) a flow line for transferring cuttings from the processing tank to the work boat.

A method for removing drill cuttings from an oil and gas well drilling platform that uses a drill bit supported with a drill string and a well drilling fluid during a digging of a well bore, comprising:

• a) transmitting the drill cuttings to a cuttings receptacle on the platform;
• b) auctioning the drill cuttings with a first suction line having an intake end portion that is positioned at the receptacle;
• c) transmitting the drill cuttings via the first suction line to a processing tank that has at least one access opening for communicating with a tank interior;
• d) forming a vacuum within the processing tank interior with a blower that is in fluid communication with the processing tank interior via a second suction line;
• e) transferring the cuttings from the processing tank to a holding tank using a flow line;
• and
• f) transferring the cuttings from the holding tank to a boat using a flow line.

A method of removing drilling cuttings from an oil and gas well drilling platform that uses a drill bit supported with a drill string and a well drilling fluid during a digging of a well bore, comprising:

• a) separating drill cuttings from at least a volume of the well drilling fluid on the drilling platform so that a volume of the drilling fluids can be recycled into the well bore during drilling operations;
• b) transmitting the cuttings to a collection area on the platform;
• c) suctioning the separated drill cuttings with a first suction line having an intake end portion;
• d) transmitting the drill cuttings via the first suction line to a processing tank that has at least one opening for communicating with the processing tank interior;
• e) forming a vacuum within the processing tank interior with a blower that is in fluid communications with the processing tank interior via a second vacuum line;
• f) connecting the processing tank to a floating work boat with a discharge flow line;
• and
• g) transmitting cuttings from the processing tank to the work boat via the flow line.

A method for disposing of drill cuttings from an oil and/or gas well drilling platform, comprising:

• a) transporting said drill cuttings to a materials collection receptacle;
• b) transporting said drill cuttings from said receptacle [via a first suction line] to a processing tank using a vacuum;
• c) blending the drill cuttings and a liquid in a flow path that communicates with the processing tank;
• and
• d) transferring the drill cuttings and liquid from the processing tank to a work boat via a flow line.

A method for disposing of drill cuttings from an oil and/or gas well drilling platform, comprising:

• a) separating said drill cuttings from substantially all of a well drilling fluid in which said drill cuttings have been conveyed from an area being drilled;
• b) transporting said drill cuttings to a materials collection receptacle;
• c) transporting said drill cuttings from said receptacle via a first suction line to a processing tank using a vacuum;
• d) blending the cuttings and a liquid inside the processing tank;
• and
• e) transferring the cuttings to a work boat via a flow line.

Apparatus for use in disposing of drill cuttings from an oil and/or gas well drilling platform, comprising:

• a) means for separating said drill cuttings from substantially all of a well drilling fluid in which said drill cuttings are carried from the area being drilled;
• b) a materials collection receptacle to which said drill cuttings are transported;
• c) a processing tank for receiving said drill cuttings;
• d) a suction line for transporting said drill cuttings from said collection receptacle to said processing tank via a vacuum;
• and
• e) a chopping device that enables cuttings particle size to be reduced inside the processing tank.