Abstract: A dryer system for treating oily solids, such as oil based drilling mud cuttings, into dry and oil-free solids and a liquid which includes recovered oil values. The system is a continuous feed, high vacuum, low temperature, distillation unit. An indirect heat exchanger may also be employed. The dry solids can be discharged continuously through a water standpipe, venturi type eductor or other continuous solids discharge arrangement. The dry solids are oil-free sufficiently to allow discharge into public waters without a rainbow effect. The recovered liquid includes the oil base and chemicals in a state permitting reuse directly in formulation of additional amounts of the oil based drilling mud, or other employment such as a fuel for heating the distillation unit.In one embodiment, the present dryer system is especially useful for installation on offshore drilling platforms.