Cuttings Re-Injection

Throughout the drilling industry, there is a growing emphasis on reducing drilling wastes, especially from oil-based mud (OBM) cuttings. Many drilling areas are rapidly moving toward "zero discharge" or "total containment" operations. Cuttings re-injection is an environmentally sound, cost-effective method of zero discharge or total containment drilling waste disposal.

WellSite Services' FluidControl group is the leading provider of cuttings re-injection services to the drilling industry. The technique of injecting drilling waste into a casing annulus has been used in the industry since 1986. Cuttings re-injection has since been used in other oilfield applications, such as production pit closure. This technique for the disposal of oilfield waste and drilled cuttings results in a zero discharge to the environment. It is the only field-proven, environmentally sound, cost-effective method for disposing of drilling waste and drilled cuttings at the rig site.

The system

The BRANDT™ CRI system is designed to:

• Process cuttings at rates as high as 50 t/hr, depending on the composition of the cuttings
• Achieve injection rates as high as 15 bbl/min (4 to 6 bbl/min is customary)
• Achieve injection pressures up to 10,000 psi with adequate well design (typical injection surface injection pressures range from 500 to 2,500 psi)
• Process large cuttings produced by fast drilling operations
• Process fines generated by slow drilling with polycrystalline diamond compact bits

Customized units with many control options are available to meet unique process needs and space requirements. All systems are designed to provide reliable and simple operations with uncomplicated maintenance.

Main components

All FluidControl cuttings injection projects consist of three main components:

• Cuttings transfer system
• Slurrification unit
• High-pressure injection pump

Optional equipment

• Slurry holding tank
• Sizing shaker
• Grinding mill