Abstract: Sludge having drill cuttings produced while drilling an oil well are moved from a shaker screen to a holding tank. The sides of the holding tank slope toward each other and form a half circle trough at the bottom of the tank. A discharge opening is aligned with the trough, and a conveyer is located in the trough for moving sludge in the holding tank toward the discharge opening. A second incline conveyer or high suction vacuum source is coupled to the discharge opening to move sludge from the discharge opening of the holding tank into a container or drying system. A drying system is coupled between the high suction vacuum source, a container and the discharge opening to separate fluids from the sludge. A drying system located near the discharge end of an inclined conveyor and between the end and a container separates fluids from the sludge.