Abstract: A system for treating oil-contaminated drill cuttings includes a grinder for increasing the surface area of the drill cuttings to enhance the absorption of free oil on the cuttings. A mixer enhances the absorption of free oil into the additional solid, oil-absorbent material exposed through the increased surface area of the ground cuttings. After mixing, the ground cuttings may be compacted into individual masses of sufficient density to sink in water. Fine materials are separated from said compacted masses prior to disposal in a marine environment.

Abstract: A method and system for discharging oil-contaminated drill cuttings into a marine environment includes a discharge member forming a continuous slide in which there is no free fall impact of the drill cuttings with hard objects that could cause break up or disintegration of the drill cuttings.

Abstract: An arrangement for alleviating the problem of differential sticking of a drill string in rotary drilling of a highly deviated borehole by grinding and reducing the size of the cuttings generated by the drilling operation to enable the mud-return flow to better remove the cuttings from the wellbore. At least one full gage, rotating stabilizer-grinder is placed along the drill string at a selected point in the high angle section of the hole. In one embodiment, this stabilizer-grinder is constructed with an inner mandrel which is part of and rotates with the drill string and powers the first part of the grinder, and an outer mandrel which is free to rotate separately from the inner mandrel. The outer mandrel is full gage and fits against the borehole wall such that it remains stationary with respect thereto. The outer mandrel thus forms the second part of the grinder on which cuttings are broken and reduced in size.

Abstract: A method for treating oil-contaminated drill cuttings at an onsite location, e.g. offshore drillsite, whereby the cuttings can be disposed of directly without the risk of pollution. The contaminated cuttings are separated from the drilling mud and are mixed with a solid oil absorbent material which absorbs the free oil from the contaminated cuttings. A surfactant may be added to aid in binding the oil in the cuttings and the oil absorbent material. Where the cuttings are of large size, they are preferably ground before mixing them with the oil absorbent material. Further, where the mixture of cuttings may include small or dust-like particles, the mixture is compacted into pellets, briquettes or other masses having a sufficient density to sink in water.

Abstract: An onsite method and apparatus for treating oil-contaminated drill cuttings at an onsite location, e.g., offshore drillsite, whereby the cuttings can be disposed of directly without the risk of pollution. The contaminated cuttings are separated from the drilling mud and are passed to a heating section of a treating unit where they are sprayed with steam to flash distill the oil from the cuttings. The distilled oil and the spent steam are passed to a cooling section of the treating unit where they are condensed before being passed to a water-oil separator. The cleaned cuttings are removed from the heating section for disposal, e.g., by dumping them into the water if at an offshore location.

Abstract: This specification discloses a system and method for flushing and cleaning a hydrocyclone used in removing drilled solids from a drilling mud circulated in the drilling of a borehole. The system is comprised of a feed pump connected via a mud conduit to the inlet of a hydrocyclone. A check valve is located in the mud conduit intermediate the feed pump and the inlet of the hydrocyclone which allows the mud to flow through the mud conduit only in the direction toward the hydrocyclone. Another conduit for flowing a cleaning liquid is connected with the mud conduit on the hydrocyclone side of the check valve. A valve responsive to a signal, pressure or electrical, is located in this other conduit intermediate the mud conduit and a supply of cleaning liquid.