Apparatus and method for transferring dry oil and gas well drill cuttings
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsJeffrey Reddoch, Glynn M. Hollier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for removing and recovering up to 98 percent of the residual drilling mud and fluids from drill cuttings for reuse and storing the drill cuttings in a relatively dry state thereby reducing cuttings volume requirements for storage and transport thereby reducing constipation of the drilling process due to disposal congestion. The present invention further provides methods for collecting and transferring drill cuttings in either dry or wet states to various locations on or adjacent the rig for processing, containerization, transport and disposal, thereby reducing handling and contamination thus simplifying recycling while reducing cost.
Claims25
A system for moving heavy drill cuttings from a drill site shaker screen and cuttings trough to various points on and around a drill site comprising:
- a) a first cuttings transfer means having containment means for receiving said drill cuttings for extracting and receiving drill cuttings entrained in a fluid slurry from said cuttings trough;
- b) a fluid separator apparatus adapted to said first transfer means for recovering virtually all residual drilling fluids and mud from said cuttings while drying said drill cuttings to a moisture content of between 2 and 5% by weight;
- c) a collecting bin for holding dried drill cuttings discharged from said fluid separator means;
- d) a second cuttings transfer means adapted to said collecting bin for discharging said dried drill cuttings in an extruded manner;
- and
- e) a conduit network connected to said second transfer means said conduit network comprising a plurality of valves for selectively directing said dried drill cuttings being extruded into said network by said second transfer means to a plurality of disposal discharge ports selectable by operating said valves.
A drill cuttings distribution system comprising:
- a) a solids pump having a receiving vessel attached to an inlet of said solids pump;
- b) a vacuum pump attached to said receiving vessel;
- c) a suction line connected to said receiving vessel for remotely collecting and conducting drill cuttings into said vessel;
- d) a centrifugal dryer with fluid separation means and having means for receiving said drill cuttings from said solids pump;
- e) a means for recovering fluids separated and discharged from said drill cuttings;
- f) a means for receiving and storing dry cuttings discharged from said centrifugal dryer;
- g) a means for discharging said dry cuttings from said means for receiving and storing dry cuttings and
- g) a means for selectively conducting said dry cuttings pneumatically from said means for discharging dry cuttings, to remote disposal discharge ports.
A method for moving heavy drill cuttings from point to point about a drill site comprising the step of providing a means for collecting and transferring heavy drill cuttings entrained in a fluid slurry, providing preliminary fluid separation and recovery means, providing secondary fluid separation and recovery means and discharging said heavy drill cuttings in a dry form into a conduit transfer system for discharge at various points on and around a drill site.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.