Abstract: A process for producing a base oil composition particularly adapted for use in oil-base drilling mud compositions. The process includes contacting drilling waste containing an oil-base mud phase with a solvent to produce a mixture of liquids and solids, separating the two phases, partially evaporating the liquids phase to produce an oil base composition substantially lacking low molecular weight carbon chain compounds and also lacking significant concentrations of benzene, toluene, xylene, and/or ethyl benzene, and having increased closed-cup flashpoint when compared to the oil-base mud phase in the drilling waste. The resulting base oil has enhanced health and safety characteristics for workers interacting with and otherwise exposed to the oil base composition during transporting, conditioning or using such compositions. The base oil produced and drilling methods using the recovered and recycled mud are also described.

Abstract: A process for producing a base oil composition particularly adapted for use in oil-base drilling mud compositions. The process includes contacting drilling waste containing an oil-base mud phase with a solvent to produce a mixture of liquids and solids, separating the two phases, partially evaporating the liquids phase to produce an oil base composition substantially lacking low molecular weight carbon chain compounds and also lacking significant concentrations of benzene, toluene, xylene, and/or ethyl benzene, and having increased closed-cup flashpoint when compared to the oil-base mud phase in the drilling waste. The resulting base oil has enhanced health and safety characteristics for workers interacting with and otherwise exposed to the oil base composition during transporting, conditioning or using such compositions. The base oil produced and drilling methods using the recovered and recycled mud are also described.

Abstract: A process for producing a base oil composition particularly adapted for use in oil-base drilling mud compositions. The process includes contacting drilling waste containing an oil-base mud phase with a solvent to produce a mixture of liquids and solids, separating the two phases, partially evaporating the liquids phase to produce an oil base composition substantially lacking low molecular weight carbon chain compounds and also lacking significant concentrations of benzene, toluene, xylene, and/or ethyl benzene, and having increased closed-cup flashpoint when compared to the oil-base mud phase in the drilling waste. The resulting base oil has enhanced health and safety characteristics for workers interacting with and otherwise exposed to the oil base composition during transporting, conditioning or using such compositions. The base oil produced and drilling methods using the recovered and recycled mud are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing low micron solids from a mixture of recovered oil based drilling fluid and low micron solids and diluent. A gas tight clarifier device that is designed and constructed for this purpose in a gas-tight manor so to ensure vapour cannot escape the separation process, and foreign oxygen cannot enter the process under normal operating conditions.

Abstract: Solvent blend processes and products. A solvent blend particularly adapted for use in a solvent extraction process for decontaminating drill cutting waste containing drilling fluid base oil, or soil containing hydrocarbon liquids within the soil matrix is described where the solvent blend is recovered from, and contains extracted contaminants from, a solvent extraction and solvent and solute recovery process, and the solvent blend, when re-used in a solvent extraction process, demonstrates improved selectivity for dissolving solutes as compared to a non-contaminant containing solvent. The recovered, decontaminated solids are also described.

Abstract: A process for producing a base oil composition particularly adapted for use in oil-base drilling mud compositions. The process includes contacting drilling waste containing an oil-base mud phase with a solvent to produce a mixture of liquids and solids, separating the two phases, partially evaporating the liquids phase to produce an oil base composition substantially lacking low molecular weight carbon chain compounds and also lacking significant concentrations of benzene, toluene, xylene, and/or ethyl benzene, and having increased closed-cup flashpoint when compared to the oil-base mud phase in the drilling waste. The resulting base oil has enhanced health and safety characteristics for workers interacting with and otherwise exposed to the oil base composition during transporting, conditioning or using such compositions. The base oil produced and drilling methods using the recovered and recycled mud are also described.

Abstract: Solvent blend processes and products. A solvent blend particularly adapted for use in a solvent extraction process for decontaminating drill cutting waste containing drilling fluid base oil, or soil containing hydrocarbon liquids within the soil matrix is described where the solvent blend is recovered from, and contains extracted contaminants from, a solvent extraction and solvent and solute recovery process, and the solvent blend, when re-used in a solvent extraction process, demonstrates improved selectivity for dissolving solutes as compared to a non-contaminant containing solvent. The recovered, decontaminated solids are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing low micron solids from a mixture of recovered oil based drilling fluid and low micron solids and diluent. A gas tight clarifier device that is designed and constructed for this purpose in a gas-tight manor so to ensure vapour cannot escape the separation process, and foreign oxygen cannot enter the process under normal operating conditions.