Abstract: A mobile drill cuttings tank system includes a cuttings tank having a pair of rotatable feed augers positioned in troughs running the length of the tank. Cuttings from the shale shaker on a drilling rig fall into the tank. Each feed auger is coupled to an independent drive unit, such as a variable frequency drive electric motor, so that each feed auger may be independently rotated at a desired speed and direction. The feed augers move cuttings to one end of the tank, where they fall through a transition piece and are picked up by boom augers which rotate within dual booms which extend away from the tank. The booms/boom augers move the cuttings to additional processing equipment, such as a cuttings drying unit. The cuttings tank has a wheel assembly so that it may be pulled by a tractor on a roadway.

Abstract: A combined cuttings stream inlet and air stream outlet apparatus, for placement within the inspection hatch of a conventional drill cuttings box, is disclosed. The combined cuttings stream inlet and air stream outlet apparatus has a central cuttings stream inlet conduit, disposed within a larger air stream outlet conduit. The air stream outlet conduit is sized to closely engage the diameter of the inspection hatch when inserted into the hatch opening. The annulus between the two conduits forms a flow area for air to exit the cuttings box. In use, the combined apparatus is easily inserted into the hatch opening of the cuttings box, preferably with a gasket between the apparatus and the hatch opening, and is held in place by the cuttings/air stream. When the cuttings box is full, the apparatus is simply pulled out and inserted into an empty cuttings box.

Abstract: A compact, skid mounted system for handling of solids generated in wellbore operations. A cuttings drying unit and solids/liquid separator are mounted on a skid. A feed auger moves wet cuttings from the discharge on a rig to the cuttings drying unit. A first discharge auger moves the dried cuttings discharged from the cuttings drying unit to a disposal point, which may be a container such as a cuttings box. The fluid discharge from the cuttings dryer is routed to a solids/liquid separator. A second discharge auger moves the solids discharge from the separator to a disposal point. The liquid discharge from the solids/liquid separator is routed back to the fluids circulating system on the rig. The augers are mounted on the skid such that they can be rotated to within the width of the skid for transport, then rotated out to discharge the solids away from the skid.

Abstract: A combined cuttings stream inlet and air stream outlet apparatus, for placement within the inspection hatch of a conventional drill cuttings box, is disclosed. The combined cuttings stream inlet and air stream outlet apparatus has a central cuttings stream inlet conduit, disposed within a larger air stream outlet conduit. The air stream outlet conduit is sized to closely engage the diameter of the inspection hatch when inserted into the hatch opening. The annulus between the two conduits forms a flow area for air to exit the cuttings box. In use, the combined apparatus is easily inserted into the hatch opening of the cuttings box, preferably with a gasket between the apparatus and the hatch opening, and is held in place by the cuttings/air stream. When the cuttings box is full, the apparatus is simply pulled out and inserted into an empty cuttings box.

Abstract: A cuttings processing system processes return fluid recovered while drilling a wellbore at an offshore location. The processing system includes a separator having an inlet receiving the return fluid, an accelerator coupled to the inlet that accelerates the return fluid, and a conical spinning member that receives the accelerated return fluid from the accelerator and applies a centrifugal force to the return fluid. The acceleration provides the return fluid with a tangential velocity that substantially matches the rotational speed of the conical spinning member. The separator also has a liquid discharge port that discharging the substantially liquid component to a tank or pipe and a solids discharge opening that discharges the substantially solid component out of the separator. In one embodiment, a conveyance device transports the solids component from the separator to a selected location on the offshore facility.

Abstract: A cuttings processing system processes return fluid recovered while drilling a wellbore at an offshore location. The processing system includes a separator having an inlet receiving the return fluid, an accelerator coupled to the inlet that accelerates the return fluid, and a conical spinning member that receives the accelerated return fluid from the accelerator and applies a centrifugal force to the return fluid. The acceleration provides the return fluid with a tangential velocity that substantially matches the rotational speed of the conical spinning member. The separator also has a liquid discharge port that discharging the substantially liquid component to a tank or pipe and a solids discharge opening that discharges the substantially solid component out of the separator. In one embodiment, a conveyance device transports the solids component from the separator to a selected location on the offshore facility.