Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing fluids, particularly entrained and/or adherent fluids, from drill cuttings generated during the well drilling process. A generally cylindrical wire-wrapped screen having a bore therethrough rotates about its longitudinal axis. Suction pressure is applied through the inner bore of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen. As fluid-laden drill cuttings are deposited on the outer surface of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen, fluids are drawn off of the cuttings and evacuated from the inner bore of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen. Solid components of the cuttings remain on the outer surface of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen and eventually roll off the screen. A scraper member is provided to agitate cuttings deposited on the outer surface of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include a method and a device for temporary storage of solid particles such as drill cuttings from a hole section for surface casing in a wellbore. In certain embodiments, the device having at least one collecting device placed on the seabed near a template over the mouth of a well. When the receptacle element in the collecting device is to be emptied, the collecting device is brought up to and on board a vessel on the surface of the sea.

Abstract: An improved method for removing proppant from fluid used in an oil and gas well for reuse in future operations. The proppant is separated from the well fluid and transported to a materials collection tank. A crane then transports the materials collection tank onto a processing boat. On the processing boat, the proppant is vacuumed from the materials collection tank to a hopper. The proppant is then discharged from the hopper into a holding tank for treatment and reuse. In a first alternative embodiment, two hoppers are positioned above each other so that the proppant can be added to the upper hopper and then fed by gravity to the lower hopper. A valving arrangement maintains vacuum within the interior of at least one hopper at all times to provide a continuous vacuum operation. A conduit discharges from the lower hopper into the holding tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling, processing and disposing the drill cuttings removed from the drilling mud of oil and gas well drilling rigs is disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize a shaker for separating drill cuttings from the mud, conduit for transporting the drill cuttings so separated to an extruder where the separated cuttings are compacted into a plurality of discrete compacted pellet-like bodies. The pellets substantially reduce the volume of drill cuttings. There is also a substantial reduction in the retained fluid volume, including the volume of environmentally harmful fluids, after the cuttings are compacted. Once extruded into pellets, the pelletized drill cuttings are transported to a desired end location that may include dumping the pellets offshore.

Abstract: An assembly for drilling a deviated borehole includes a bottom hole assembly connected to a string of coiled tubing and includes a bit driven by a downhole motor powered by drilling fluids. A surface pump pumps the drilling fluids downhole through a cross valve to provide a first path directing drilling fluids down the coiled tubing flowbore and a second path directing drilling fluids down the annulus. The bottom hole assembly has a downhole valve allowing flow between the flowbore and the annulus. A first flow passageway directs drilling fluids down the coiled tubing flow bore and then up the annulus and a second flow passageway directs drilling fluids down the annulus and the up the flowbore. The bottom hole assembly includes a subsurface pump capable of pumping drilling fluids from the second fluid passageway to the surface. The bottom hole assembly includes an electric motor to rotate the subsurface pump and the motor is provided with power conduits embedded in a wall of the coiled tubing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a borehole is described variously including running a coiled tubing assembly into the wellbore, creating a fluid vortex by circulating cleaning fluid through the coiled tubing, and pulling the coiled tubing and coiled tubing assembly out of the hole at a speed sufficient to substantially clean the particulate solids from the wellbore. An apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a hole, including vertical, horizontal, or deviated wells also is provided.

Abstract: A filter system for filtering drill bit cuttings, shavings, and other abrasive articles from a drilling mud that is passed through an oil or gas well drilling system is provided that includes an overhead drilling system, a drill string connected to the overhead drilling system, and a mud filter for filtering the drilling mud, wherein the mud filter is disposed within a drilling mud fluid passageway that extends from the entry point of the drilling mud into the overhead drilling system and the entry point of the drilling mud into the drill string.

Abstract: A method for controlling drilling mud density at a location either at the seabed (or just above the seabed) or alternatively below the seabed of wells in deep water and ultra deep water applications. The mud recirculation system may be used in conventional drill bit drilling operations or with drilling with casing operations. Drilling mud is combined with a non-gaseous base fluid of lesser density than the mud required at the wellhead to produce a diluted mud in the riser. By combining the appropriate quantities of drilling mud with base fluid, a riser mud density at or near the density of seawater may be achieved. The base fluid may be injected utilizing a wellhead injection device for attachment to the wellhead and for injecting the base fluid into the rising drilling mud at a location below the seabed. The riser charging lines are used to carry the low-density base fluid to the injection device for injection into the drilling mud below the seabed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a mixture of drilling fluid and beads into a flow of drilling fluid, e.g., flowing in a conduit or flowing upwardly within an annulus of a riser, the method in certain aspects including: introducing an initial stream including a mixture of drilling fluid and beads into a hydrocyclone; processing the initial stream with the hydrocyclone producing a first stream and a second stream, the first stream containing drilling fluid and beads and the second stream containing drilling fluid; and feeding the first stream to shale shaker apparatus and/or to centrifugal liquid/liquid separator apparatus producing a primary stream and a secondary stream, the primary stream including beads and drilling fluid; and feeding the primary stream into the conduit or into an annulus of the riser.

Abstract: A system and method for developing and recycling drilling fluids at the site of a subterranean well is described, thus eliminating the need for transporting the fluids to the site.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a borehole, variously including in preferred embodiments disturbing particulate solids of fill while RIH, entraining particulates while POOH, jetting downhole while RIH and jetting uphole while POOH, and controlling at least one of a pump rate regime or a POOH rate regime.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling formation pressures during drilling of a subterranean formation utilizing a selectively fluid backpressure system in which fluid is pumped down the drilling fluid return system in response to detected borehole pressures. A pressure monitoring system is further provided to monitor detected borehole pressures, model expected borehole pressures for further drilling and control the fluid backpressure system.

Abstract: A method to significantly reduce mounding on the seafloor near oil drilling operations comprising the steps of: mixing drilling fluids with organic contaminates in a high shear mixer; adding a solidification agent which expands when hydrated and electrolytically attracts said organic contaminates to its surface; adding a cellulosic additive in an amount between 1 and 50 wt % based on the amount of said organic contaminate in the drilling fluid forming a mixture; adding a cell transport agent in an amount between 0.5 wt % and 10 wt % based on the amount of said organic contaminate in the drilling fluid, wherein said cell transport agent is capable of transporting large organic molecules through cell walls and neutralizing said mixture to a pH of between 7 and 8 to said mixture; and mixing at a high shear rate until said mixture forms a fine powder, dispersing said fine powder into the sea.

Abstract: A method for recirculating fluid in a well system includes drilling a first well bore from a surface to a subterranean zone, and drilling an articulated well bore that is horizontally offset from the first well bore at the surface and that intersects the first well bore at a junction proximate the subterranean zone. The method also includes drilling a drainage bore from the junction into the subterranean zone, and receiving gas, water, and particles produced from the subterranean zone at the junction via the drainage bore. The gas, water, and particles are received from the junction at the surface, and the water is separated from the gas and the particles. The method also includes determining an amount of water to circulate, and recirculating a portion of the separated water according to this determination.

Abstract: A system which receives as inputs various measurements of solids and liquids in a clarification system and, from these measurements, determines the various constituents and their fractional makeup within the system. The measurements may be made manually or mechanically, but are preferably made manually. From a quantitative analysis of easily accessible sample points, data is acquired and plugged into a spread sheet program, which numerically and graphically displays the breakdown of the constituents which make up the solids and liquids discharged from a treatment stage or of the entire system.

Abstract: A drilling system is provided for drilling a borehole into an earth formation, the drilling system comprising pump means for pumping drilling fluid into the borehole and discharge means for discharging drilling fluid from the borehole. The discharge means comprises at least one pressure chamber for temporarily accommodating drilling fluid being discharged from the borehole, and control means for controlling the fluid inflow into each pressure chamber.

Abstract: A drilling system for drilling a bore hole into a subterranean earth formation, wherein at least a portion of the mud flow from the primary mud pump is diverted to the mud discharge outlet, thereby creating a backpressure system to readily increase annular pressure.

Abstract: A vertical, centrifugal separator used for drying drill cuttings prior to transport or further processing. The separator is adapted to receive scavenged heat from any source and is further adapted to include internal conveyers, thereby lowering the overall operating profile and providing increased cuttings retention time within a heated environment.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for diverting a portion of the drilling fluid that flows into a drilling assembly comprise diverting the drilling fluid into the annulus of a deviated wellbore at a flow rate corresponding to a velocity that is sufficient to transport cuttings to the surface while drilling progresses. The diverted drilling fluid is directed into the annulus at an angle to prevent erosion of the wellbore wall. The flow rate of the diverted drilling fluid is controlled to establish a fixed flow rate, or alternatively, a variable flow rate. Pressure is dissipated and fluid velocity is reduced as the diverted drilling fluid flows between a high fluid pressure within the drilling assembly to a lower pressure in the wellbore annulus.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for processing deleterious material on a floating vessel during transportation from a well to a disposal site. The vessel contains equipment for the slurrification and agitation of the deleterious material. Such equipment includes storage tanks, slurrification units, and agitation units, as well as transfer equipment such as flow lines and vacuum or pump means. The deleterious material is transferred from the drill site to the storage tanks on the vessel. The vessel then transports the material to a disposal site, such as an injection well. During transportation, the deleterious material is processed. Such processing can include slurrification and/or agitation of the deleterious material to maintain the slurry, adding fluid if necessary. Once at the disposal site, the deleterious material slurry is then transferred from the vessel to the disposal site.

Abstract: A system for controlling drilling mud density at a location either at the seabed (or just above the seabed) or alternatively below the seabed of wells in offshore and land-based drilling applications is disclosed. The present invention combines a base fluid of lesser/greater density than the drilling fluid required at the drill bit to drill the well to produce a combination return mud in the riser. By combining the appropriate quantities of drilling mud with a light fluid, a riser mud density at or near the density of seawater may be achieved to facilitate transporting the return mud to the surface. Alternatively, by injecting the appropriate quantities of heavy fluid into a light return mud, the column of return mud may be sufficiently weighted to protect the wellhead. At the surface, the combination return mud is passed through a treatment system to cleanse the mud of drill cuttings and to separate the drilling fluid from the base fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting oil drill cuttings using a vessel having a lower conical portion where the cone has an angle which provides for mass flow of the drill cuttings when there is an application of compressed air on the surface of the drill cuttings in the vessel.

Abstract: A method of minimizing the quantity of solids deposited in a reserve pit of the type used in drilling oil and gas wells. The method is applicable to well sites where drilling is facilitated by the use of drilling fluid and cuttings are generated by a drill bit, lifted to the surface and deposited at a well bore. The method consists of separating cuttings from associated drilling fluid and conveying larger cuttings to a solids storage location, thus bypassing the reserve pit for a good deal of the solid waste generated at a drilling site. Residual drilling fluid is directed to a reservoir such as a suction tank where it can be reused in further drilling operations. Over time the residual drilling fluid in the suction tank will increase in viscosity to the point where the residue is no longer suitable as drilling fluid. Thereupon, a portion of the residue may be discarded from the suction tank to the reserve pit and water or drilling chemicals added to the suction tank to revitalize the drilling fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing cuttings in a deviated borehole using drilling fluids. The apparatus includes a pipe string and a bottom hole assembly having a down hole motor and bit for drilling the borehole. The pipe string has one end attached to the bottom hole assembly and does not rotate during drilling. The apparatus and methods raise at least a portion of the pipe string in the deviated borehole to remove cuttings from underneath the pipe string portion.

Abstract: A subsea return fluid recovery system for recovering drilling fluid and cuttings (“return fluid”) from a subsea wellbore in one embodiment includes a hub at the opening of the subsea wellbore that directs fluid into a transport device. In one embodiment, the hub includes a stand pipe that forms a return fluid column, the hydrostatic pressure of which causes return fluid to flow into the transport device rather than up the stand pipe. One or more buoyant members attached to the transport device convey the transport device toward the surface. A preferred recovery method includes collecting return fluid at the seabed, passively transporting the collected fluid to the surface, and processing the collected fluid at a local (offshore) or land based treatment facility. The retrieval and processing of the return fluid is done outside the critical path of the drilling activities at an offshore platform.

Abstract: A system and method for developing and recycling drilling fluids at the site of a subterranean well is described, thus eliminating the need for transporting the fluids to the site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing fluids, particularly entrained and/or adherent fluids, from drill cuttings generated during the well drilling process. A generally cylindrical wire-wrapped screen having a bore therethrough rotates about its longitudinal axis. Suction pressure is applied through the inner bore of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen. As fluid-laden drill cuttings are deposited on the outer surface of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen, fluids are drawn off of the cuttings and evacuated from the inner bore of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen. Solid components of the cuttings remain on the outer surface of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen and eventually roll off the screen. A scraping member is provided to agitate cuttings deposited on the outer surface of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen.

Abstract: A sub-sea mud pump system includes a plurality of pump units, and each pumping unit includes a plurality of pumping elements. Each pumping element includes a pressure vessel with a first and a second chamber, a separating member between the first and second chambers, a measurement device adapted to measure the volume of at least one of the first and second chambers, a hydraulic inlet control valve and a hydraulic outlet control valve coupled to the first chamber, a mud suction valve and a mud discharge valve coupled to the second chamber. The first chamber is hydraulically coupled to receive and discharge a hydraulic fluid, and the second chamber is hydraulically coupled to receive and discharge a drilling fluid. The separating member is adapted to move within its the pressure vessel in response to a pressure differential between the first and second chambers. The pump system also includes a hydraulic control unit adapted to control the plurality of pump units.

Abstract: A method of enclosing an oil drilling rig. A first step involves providing a base and a flexible sheet-form covering having a first edge and second edge. A second step involves securing the base to the oil drilling rig and securing the first edge of the covering around a perimeter of the base. A third step involves securing the second edge of the covering to the drilling rig in spaced relation to the base, thereby maintaining the covering in a substantially taut condition forming a tubular enclosure.

Abstract: A drill for drilling wide diameter and high depth holes in the soil including a base machine (1) having a rotary (2) that is equipped with a clamp (9) and, by means of translation cylinders (8), rotates and axially moves a series of drill stem (7) having a tool (6) at the free end thereof, includes: an hydraulic joint (3) linked to the rotary (2); at least a winch (4) linked to the hydraulic joint (3) and provided with at least a wire rope (18); a carrier canister (5) slidely connected with the stem (7) between the rotary (2) and the tool (6) by means of at least the wire rope (18); at least a winch (4), a wire rope (18), a carrier canister (5) are rotated together with the stem (7) of the rotary (2) in correspondence of an operating condition of the drill.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling drilling mud density at a location either at the seabed (or just above the seabed) or alternatively below the seabed of wells in deep water and ultra deep water applications are disclosed. The present invention combines a base fluid of lesser density than the mud required at the wellhead to produce a diluted mud in the riser. By combining the appropriate quantities of drilling mud with base fluid, a riser mud density at or near the density of seawater may be achieved. The present invention also includes a wellhead injection device for injecting the base fluid into the rising drilling mud. The riser charging lines are used to carry the low density base fluid to the injection device for injection into the return mud. At the surface, the diluted return mud is passed through a treatment system to cleanse the mud of drill cuttings and to separate the heavier drilling mud from the lighter base fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing fluids, particularly entrained and/or adherent fluids, from drill cuttings generated during the well drilling process. A generally cylindrical wire-wrapped screen having a bore therethrough rotates about its longitudinal axis. Suction pressure is applied through the inner bore of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen. As fluid-laden drill cuttings are deposited on the outer surface of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen, fluids are drawn off of the cuttings and evacuated from the inner bore of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen. Solid components of the cuttings remain on the outer surface of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen and eventually roll off the screen. A scraping member is provided to agitate cuttings deposited on the outer surface of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing and recovering up to 98 percent of the residual drilling mud and fluids from drill cuttings for reuse and storing the drill cuttings in a relatively dry state thereby reducing cuttings volume requirements for storage and transport thereby reducing constipation of the drilling process due to disposal congestion. The present invention further provides methods for collecting and transferring drill cuttings in either dry or wet states to various locations on or adjacent the rig for processing, containerization, transport and disposal, thereby reducing handling and contamination thus simplifying recycling while reducing cost.

Abstract: There is provided a fluid circulating apparatus for a drill that requires only a small amount of coolant, as a suspension is collected and reused. The apparatus 1 for use with a drill 2 comprises a suspension collecting means 3 that collects a suspension derived from the coolant mixed with chippings S through cutting and drilling operations, a suspension filtering means that filters off the chippings included in the suspension, thereby making the suspension back into the coolant to be stored in a reservoir 4a, and a coolant supplying means that supplies the coolant obtained by the suspension filtering means and stored in the reservoir to the bit. The suspension collecting means includes a vacuum pump used to collect the suspension from a water-receiving pad so provided as to surround a point to be drilled by changing a pressure in the reservoir to subatmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing proppant from fluid used in an oil and gas well for reuse in future operations. The proppant is separated from the well fluid and transported to a materials collection tank. A crane then transports the materials collection tank onto a processing boat. On the processing boat, the proppant is vacuumed from the materials collection tank to a hopper. The proppant is then discharged from the hopper into a holding tank for treatment and reuse. In a first alternative embodiment, two hoppers are positioned above each other so that the proppant can be added to the upper hopper and then fed by gravity to the lower hopper. A valving arrangement maintains vacuum within the interior of at least one hopper at all times to provide a continuous vacuum operation. A conduit discharges from the lower hopper into the holding tank.

Abstract: A wellbore drilling system has an umbilical that carries a drill bit in a wellbore. Drilling fluid pumped into the umbilical discharges at the drill bit bottom and returns through an annulus between the umbilical and the wellbore carrying entrained drill cuttings. An active differential pressure device (APD device), such as a jet pump, turbine or centrifugal pump, in fluid communication with the returning fluid creates a differential pressure across the device, which alters the pressure below or downhole of the device. The APD device can be driven by a positive displacement motor, a turbine, an electric motor, or a hydraulic motor. A controller controls the operation of the APD device in response to programmed instructions and/or one or more parameters of interest detected by one or more sensors. A preferred system is a closed loop system that maintains the wellbore at under-balance condition, at-balance condition or over-balance condition.

Abstract: A biodegradable wellbore fluid with an oleaginous phase including a linear paraffin having 11-18 carbon atoms, a non-oleaginous phase, an emulsifying agent and optionally a weighting agent. Use of the fluid while drilling allows bio-remediation of drill cuttings using land spreading, bioreactors, conventional composting or vermiculture composting. The resulting product, especially when vermicomposed, is potentially useful as a soil amendment or plant fertilizer material.

Abstract: A method of enclosing an oil drilling rig. A first step involves providing a base and a flexible sheet-form covering having a first edge and second edge. A second step involves securing the base to the oil drilling rig and securing the first edge of the covering around a perimeter of the base. A third step involves securing the second edge of the covering to the drilling rig in spaced relation to the base, thereby maintaining the covering in a substantially taut condition forming a tubular enclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling drilling mud density at a location either at the seabed (or just above the seabed) or alternatively below the seabed of wells in deep water and ultra deep water applications are disclosed. The present invention combines a base fluid of lesser density than the mud required at the wellhead to produce a diluted mud in the riser. By combining the appropriate quantities of drilling mud with base fluid, a riser mud density at or near the density of seawater may be achieved. The present invention also includes a wellhead injection device for attachment to the wellhead and for injecting the base fluid into the rising drilling mud at a location below the seabed. The riser charging lines are used to carry the low density base fluid to the injection device for injection into the drilling mud below the seabed. The cuttings are brought to the surface with the diluted mud and separated in the usual manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating for disposal oil-contaminated clay substrates such as drill cuttings from drilling with an oil-based mud. If necessary, the substrate is pretreated with an aqueous emulsion breaker such as alkylbenzenesulfonic acid. The substrate is mixed under high shear conditions with a mineral acid such as sulfuric acid. This can be done in an agitated reactor with sequential addition of the organic and inorganic acids. The substrate is then mixed with alkaline earth such as lime in a second agitated reactor. The reactions between the acid(s), alkaline earth and substrate are exothermic and provide heat to vaporize the oil, reaction products and water. Recoverable constituents in the vapor can be condensed in a vapor collection system. The treated substrate is essentially free of oil and has a controlled water content.

Abstract: Liquids are removed from drill cuttings generated during drilling operations, recovered and recycled to the rig drilling fluid system, reducing the amount of waste generated and fluid lost. The process and apparatus to achieve this uses a fluid bed thermal desorption unit that vaporizes the liquids from the cuttings. A portion of this vapour is recycled to fluidize the bed, enhance heat transfer and maintain a low oxygen environment in the desorption chamber. The cuttings become the bed medium. The drilling fluid system is used to condense the vapours for re-use. The unit allows for varying rates of cuttings generation and varying composition of those cuttings.

Abstract: A multi-gradient system for drilling a well bore from a surface location into a seabed includes an injector for injecting buoyant substantially incompressible articles into a column of drilling fluid associated with the well bore. Preferably, the substantially incompressible articles comprises hollow substantially spherical bodies.

Abstract: A support for supporting a power tool (3) on a displacement carriage (2) and including an attachment element (7) for connecting the power tool (3) with the carriage (2), and a bolt insertable into an eyelet (8) of the power tool (9) for releasably connecting the attachment element (7) with the power tool (3) with the bolt (6) having axial and radial conduits (12, 13) communicating with an outer cylindrical surface of the bolt (6), so that predetermined position of the bolt (6) in the eyelet (8), a drilling fluid can be delivered through the bolt (6) to fluid conduits (4) of the power tool (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing system for the preparation of a drilling fluid for horizontal drilling methods, having a high-pressure pump and a feed line for the additive medium arranged upstream of the high-pressure pump in the direction of flow.

Abstract: A system and method for separating oil from an oil tailing having water includes introducing the oil tailing within a chamber, and applying RF energy to the oil tailing at a temperature sufficient to convert the water to steam and to separate the oil from the tailing. The system allows removal of the water from the tailing followed by RF energy absorption by the tailing prior to substantial heat transfer to the surrounding mineral portion of the tailing. Among other advantages, the system produces tailings substantially devoid of oil, thereby allowing the tailing to be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. The system is particularly advantageous for offshore drilling operations where storage and subsequent hauling of the oil tailings ashore for processing and disposal is expensive.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for preparing variable density drilling muds. The invention is particularly useful in offshore operations where storage and transportation of consumable materials is an important economic issue. One version of the apparatus is a portable apparatus requiring minimal deck space that can be used as needed and then removed. The invention is particularly useful during offshore dynamic kill drilling.

Abstract: A method and system for drilling or cutting a subterranean well or formation 52 using a drilling rig 5, a drill string 55, a plurality of solid material impactors 100, a drilling fluid and a drill bit 60 is disclosed. This invention may have particular utility in drilling wells for the petroleum industry and for cutting formation in the mining and tunnel boring industries. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of solid material impactors are introduced into the drilling fluid and pumped through the drill string and drill bit to impact the formation ahead of the bit. At the point of impact, a substantial portion by weight of the impactors may have sufficient energy to structurally alter, excavate, and/or fracture the impacted formation. The majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors may have a mean diameter of at least 0.100 inches, and may structurally alter the formation to a depth of at least twice the mean diameter of the particles comprising the impacted formation.

Abstract: A method for drilling and completing a well includes the steps of drilling through a subterranean formation with a drill bit so as to form a well bore having a side wall; applying a consolidating material to the side wall under pressure so that said consolidating material flows into the side wall and provides a coated side wall coated with the consolidating material; and passing a scraping member having a desired profile past the coated side wall so as to provide the coated side wall with the desired profile an apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An automated high speed drill cuttings processing and injection module having a relatively small foot print, capable of operation in zone one hazardous environments, for injecting drill cuttings into an earth formation, capable of handling high drilling rate cuttings surges. The process including conveying systems, holding and slurry tanks, circulating pumps, high speed grinding mill, high pressure injection pump, fragmentation system and automation system for controlling electrically driven injection pump having automatic speed control regulation with torque and horsepower limiting features. Thereby allowing high-speed injection without plugging the formation while still allowing for high-pressure formation fracturing when necessary. The processing system further insures cuttings slurry homogenization and entrained particle size to less than 100 micron for both hard and soft particles. The system reduces installation cost dramatically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing drill cuttings from an oil and gas well drilling platform provides for the separation of drill cuttings from at least a volume of the well drilling fluid (i.e. drilling mud) on the drilling platform so that the drilling fluids can be recycled into the well bore. The cuttings are then transferred to a cuttings collection receptacle (eg. trough) on the platform. The separated drill cuttings are then suctioned with a first suction line having an intake portion. The suctioned drill cuttings are transmitted to a processing tank (or multiple such tanks) on the platform, each having a tank interior. A vacuum is formed within the processing tank interior with a blower that is in fluid communication with the tank interior via a second vacuum line. The tank is connected to a floating work boat with a discharge flow line. Cuttings are processed within the tank, being chopped or cut into smaller size particles with a pump that is preferably contained within the processing tank.