Oil drilling waste, how to turn waste into treasure?

Oil drilling waste is the waste produced by oil and natural gas in the drilling process, which contains a large number of chemical auxiliaries and is difficult to deal with, and the disposal cost is high, and the final destination of waste after treatment is difficult to completely resource. At present, the commonly used solid-liquid separation technology uses chemical flocculation, sedimentation, and mechanical separation to separate the solid and liquid two phases in drilling waste, and then carry out terminal treatment respectively. After the filtrate is transported to the treatment field for pretreatment, it is re-injected, water-treated, and reused by the drilling team. The problem is that the recovery rate is low and the treatment cost is high. The mud cake is transported to the brick factory or cement factory for use, and the utilization rate is very low. Most of the mud cake is in the stacking or waiting stage.

After treatment, the drilling waste is added with a curing agent, compacted by a road roller, and solidified into a dense plate through physical and chemical reactions with non-machine binder, soil, and water. Instead of cement, lime, gravel, and other materials, it is used for subgrade treatment of various grades of roads and foundation treatment of various construction sites, and can also be directly paved low-grade roads, landscape roads, or temporary roads. It can also be used in agricultural and water conservancy construction of earth engineering. While saving a lot of construction costs, it also avoids the mining, processing, transportation, storage, and use of natural road-building materials, and reduces vegetation destruction, soil erosion, coal, and fuel consumption, which is of great significance for resource conservation and ecological protection.

This new method of final disposal of oil drilling waste eliminates the cumbersome process, eliminates the need for separate treatment of solid and liquid phases, eliminates the need for costly waste disposal on the well site, and leaves no traces of pollution. Through supporting environmental protection agents and automation equipment, the three steps are completed in one go, turning dirty drilling waste into usable building materials, no waste is generated in the process and the final product, and no secondary pollution is generated. Using this technology, the pollution traces of these wastes from the surface of our beautiful planet are “erased”, and turn into an available harmless resource, turn waste into treasure, use these wastes, save part of valuable building materials resources, “benefit today, benefit all generations”, has far-reaching significance and great contribution to the environmental protection and petroleum industry in China and even the world.

Kosun Machinery Co., Ltd. is a domestic environmental protection and energy comprehensive service enterprise with global resources and international vision. Has a highly dedicated, technologically advanced, experienced technical management expert. The company’s business field is “oil and gas fields, mine soil, sludge treatment”, has participated in several oil fields and sewage treatment plants for sludge treatment projects, involving industrial pollution sites, oil, sludge, waste waste, and other professional treatment, the effect is obvious. Always adhere to the “people-oriented, leading technology, win-win cooperation” development strategy, professional qualifications, professional teams, technical capabilities, case experience, partners and corporate culture, and other aspects of continuous accumulation and development, to form their characteristics of development advantages, establish a good image and reputation. In the future, while adhering to and improving the development strategy, we will build a new development platform, open up a new development path, constantly improve the goal, and strive to achieve the greatest value and the most trusted environmental restoration enterprise.

Why is a solid control system important in drilling operations?A solid control system is crucial in drilling operations for several reasons:

  1. Removal of solids: During drilling, cuttings and other solids are generated that can contaminate the drilling fluid. KOSUN solid control system helps remove these solids from the drilling fluid, ensuring its cleanliness and maintaining its desired properties. Clean drilling fluid is essential for efficient drilling, preventing equipment damage, and maximizing drilling performance.
  2. Wellbore stability: Effective solid control helps maintain wellbore stability by removing drilled solids that can cause formation damage or lead to unstable wellbore conditions. Clean drilling fluid with controlled solids content helps minimize the risk of wellbore collapse, stuck pipe, or other drilling incidents.
  3. Equipment protection: Solids such as sand, shale, or metal cuttings can damage drilling equipment, including pumps, mud motors, and drilling bits.KOSUN solid control system removes these abrasive solids, protecting the drilling equipment from excessive wear and extending their lifespan. This reduces downtime and maintenance costs associated with equipment repair or replacement.
  4. Mud properties control: The drilling fluid, also known as drilling mud, has specific properties that are crucial for successful drilling operations. These properties include viscosity, density, and gel strength. KOSUN solid control system helps maintain the desired mud properties by removing solids that can alter these properties. Consistent mud properties ensure efficient drilling and accurate formation evaluation.
  5. Environmental protection: Proper solid control is essential for environmental protection. It helps prevent the discharge of drilling fluids with high solids content, which can negatively impact the environment. By removing and properly managing the solids,KOSUN solid control system helps comply with environmental regulations and reduces the ecological footprint of drilling operations.
  6. Cost-effectiveness: Implementing an effective solid control system can lead to cost savings in drilling operations. By removing solids from the drilling fluid, it reduces the consumption of drilling fluids, lowers disposal costs, and minimizes the wear and tear on drilling equipment. This results in improved overall drilling efficiency and reduced operational expenses.

In summary, KOSUN solid control system plays a vital role in drilling operations by removing solids from the drilling fluid. It ensures wellbore stability, protects drilling equipment, controls mud properties, promotes environmental protection, and contributes to cost-effectiveness. Implementing a reliable and efficient solid control system is essential for safe, efficient, and successful drilling operations.

KOSUN- China Solids Control Leader&Drilling Waste Management Expert
Email: sales2@adkosun.com
WhatsApp/Wechat:+86 13379250593
Contact person:Stella Xiang
Online consulting:
http://www.kosun.com
http://www.kosuneco.com

What are the solid phase control methods for drilling fluids?

What are the solid phase control methods for drilling fluids?

To control solid phase in drilling fluid is to remove useless solid phase and retain useful solid phase. There are the following methods:

Ⅰ. Settling Method: This method involves allowing larger solid particles to settle down by circulating the drilling fluid through a large sedimentation tank when it reaches the surface.

Ⅱ. Dilution Method: This method involves adding dispersing media (such as water or oil) to the drilling fluid to reduce the solid phase content. Dispersing agents (such as iron chromates) can also be added to reduce the viscosity of the drilling fluid and improve its ability to carry cuttings.

Ⅲ. Mechanical Equipment Method: This method involves separating solid particles from the drilling fluid using mechanical equipment. This includes vibrating screens, desanders, desilters, centrifuges, and other equipment.

Ⅳ. Chemical Control Method: This method involves adding flocculants to the drilling fluid to increase the aggregation of solid particles, facilitating settling or mechanical removal.

Today, we will mainly introduce the mechanical desanding method. There are various mechanical desanding methods, including vibrating screens, filter presses, vacuum filters, centrifugal filters, centrifugal settling, and cyclone desanders. Due to the relatively high flow rate during core drilling operations and the comparatively low volume of slurry to be treated, cyclone desanders are commonly used. They have desanding capacities several hundred times higher than gravity desanders and can remove particles of around 20 microns. The structural principle of a cyclone desander is shown in the diagram.

Diagram of Centrifuge Bowl

1、Connection joint;2、Big-end bearing pedestal;3、Big-end bearing;4、Big-end inner bearing;5、Cylindrical bowl;6 、Conveyor flight;7、Conveyor mandrel;8、Small-end inner bearing;9、Central tube;10、Small-end bearing;11、Driven wheel of main motor;12、Small-end bearing pedestal;13、Small-end plate;14、Solid outlet;15、Tapered bowl;16、Conveyor outlet;17、Big-end plate;18、Liquid outlet;19、Splined shaft

What are the methods of cooling drilling fluid?

Drilling fluid cooling is an important aspect of the drilling process as it helps maintain the temperature of the drilling fluid within the required range for optimal performance.  There are several methods of cooling drilling fluids, each with their own advantages and suitable for different drilling conditions.

One of the simplest and most cost-effective methods of cooling drilling fluids is water cooling.  This method reduces the temperature of the drilling fluid by adding cold water or circulating cooling water.  This is a simple method that is suitable for cryogenic conditions and provides an easy way to cool drilling fluids without the need for complex equipment.

Another effective cooling method is heat exchanger cooling, which involves using a heat exchanger to transfer heat from the drilling fluid to a cooling medium, such as cold water or coolant.  This method is particularly suitable for drilling fluids with higher temperatures and can achieve better cooling effects compared to water cooling.  It provides a more efficient way of cooling drilling fluids and is suitable for a variety of drilling conditions.

For large drilling operations, cooling tower cooling is an ideal method of cooling drilling fluids.  The method involves passing the drilling fluid through a cooling tower where the fluid is sprayed onto the top of the tower and cooled using air before being collected as cooled drilling fluid.  Cooling tower cooling is suitable for achieving large cooling effects and is particularly useful for large drilling operations.

When rapid cooling is required, adding specific coolants to the drilling fluid is an effective way to achieve the desired cooling effect.  This method can quickly reduce the temperature of the drilling fluid by changing the chemical properties of the drilling fluid.  However, it is important to consider the effect of coolant on drilling fluid performance and ensure that it does not adversely affect the drilling process.

In summary, there are many effective methods for cooling drilling fluids, each with their own advantages and suitable for different drilling conditions.  Whether through water cooling, heat exchanger cooling, cooling tower cooling or the addition of coolant, the most appropriate cooling method must be selected based on the specific requirements of the drilling operation to ensure optimal performance of the drilling fluid.

How To Effectively Deal With Drilling Waste?

How to effectively deal with drilling waste?KOSUN gives you the answer!

Drilling waste/mud is one of the major sources of pollution in the oil and gas industry. Due to engineering requirements, drilling mud is often mixed with substances such as oil, water, and organic clays. In recent years, the use of oil-based mud, water-based mud, and composite-based mud has increased, leading to escalating costs and environmental pollution issues.

The emergence of mud treatment systems has successfully addressed the challenge of inefficient and environmentally friendly treatment of drilling waste. The main processing process of Xi’an KOSUN’s drilling waste treatment system refers to the harmless treatment of drilling waste from the wellhead before landing. The waste mud in the waste mud pool can also be diluted and then classified and utilized for treatment, realizing the mobilization of drilling environmental protection devices. Mud that has been effectively treated can be reused, reducing frictional resistance, lowering accident rates, and improving wellbore quality.

Drilling cuttings treatment method:

Different from traditional methods, the mud system transforms the treatment of waste mud from “end-of-pipe treatment” to “whole-process control”. The waste mud is diluted, coagulated, and separated into cuttings, mud cakes, and water. Solid substances in the mud are treated through washing, coagulation separation, and chemical reaction to meet discharge standards. Harmful substances and chloride ions in the mud are dissolved into the water, which is then dehydrated into mud cakes by vacuum adsorption or squeezing. Meanwhile, the centrifugally separated wastewater undergoes concentration treatment through flotation sedimentation, filtration systems, and reverse osmosis systems. The treated wastewater meeting standards can be reused for drilling circulation.

Steps for drilling mud waste treatment:

Waste materials separated from drilling waste, such as cuttings, can be purified, dried, and recycled as concrete materials.

The mud water produced from washing cuttings can be chemically treated, destabilized, coagulated, and separated into mud cakes, which can be mixed with clay or shale in proportion for brick making.

The separated filtrate undergoes pretreatment processes such as destabilization, coagulation, flotation, oxidation, and adsorption filtration to remove major pollutants. It can be used for oilfield reinjection, safe strata reinjection, or discharged up to standards. After treatment by the sewage treatment system, wastewater can achieve standard discharge.

Considerations for drilling mud waste treatment:

Xi’an KOSUN’s drilling waste treatment system is the only environmentally friendly device in China that truly achieves harmless and green treatment of drilling waste mud, combining the most advanced mud purification and drying treatment technology at home and abroad, and after three years of research and multiple improvements and upgrades. The use of the mud treatment system eliminates the need to transport solid waste from the wellsite for centralized treatment, saving transportation costs and processing space, and making environmental protection efforts more effective.

Drilling fluid vibrating screen is a solid control equipment in drilling mud solid phase control system

Xi ‘an KOSUN oil solid control drilling fluid vibrating screen is the primary solid control equipment in the drilling mud solid phase control system. It separates a large amount of drilling cuttings carried by the mud from the well sheet so that the mud can enter the secondary separation equipment. The screen can be used alone, or can be used in double or multiple pairs.

Xi ‘an KOSUN oil solid control drilling fluid vibrating screen is a high frequency linear vibration machine, it is equipped with three screen frames and two vibration motors, and has the characteristics of manual adjustment of screen frame angle (AWD) during drilling, LS583 vibrating screen can be operated between -1° and +5° adjustment screen frame angle. Thanks to structural design innovations, drilling fluid shakers can efficiently separate cuttings. The vibration motor is fixed to the screen frame with a high-strength support beam and positioned on the screen bed. By positioning the vibration motor in this way, the vibration force (G-force) can be directly applied to the screen. The vibration isolation device can protect the base frame from the vibration of the screen frame. The mud is fed through the feed box into the shaker.

The main components of Xi ‘an KOSUN oil solid control drilling fluid vibrating screen include screen frame, vibration motor, screen tensioning system, AWD Angle adjustment system, locking device, feed box, electrical system, etc.

Xi ‘an KOSUN drilling fluid vibrating screen is widely used in oil drilling, trenchless horizontal directional crossing, coalbed methane drilling, shale gas drilling, river sludge environmental protection and other mud purification treatment fields.

Introduction to sand and mud removal cyclones


The material of the mud removal cyclone is polyurethane, and the material of the sand settling port is polyurethane + KM wear-resistant coating. The mud removal cyclone is equipped with three specifications of underflow ports: Φ14, Φ18, and Φ22. The appropriate specification should be selected according to different mud conditions. The feed pressure should be controlled between 0.08-0.30 MPa.


The material of the sand removal cyclone is a steel shell lined with rubber, and the material of the sand settling port is high-alumina ceramic. The sand removal cyclone is equipped with three specifications of underflow ports: Φ70, Φ80, and Φ90. The appropriate specification should be selected according to different mud conditions. The feed pressure should be controlled between 0.03-and 0.40 MPa.


Storage precautions for polyurethane cyclones:

The rubber lining components of the cyclone should not be exposed to direct sunlight for a long time during storage because strong ultraviolet rays can cause the aging of these materials. The equipment should be stored indoors as much as possible. If stored outdoors, it should always be covered with tarps or other protective layers.
The equipment should be placed in a safe environment to avoid falling objects or heavy objects, preventing damage to the equipment.
The equipment should be kept away from corrosive liquids or fumes.
The equipment should be kept away from high temperatures, direct flame, and welding.

Drilling Mud Waste Management is a Critical Aspect of the Drilling Process

Drilling mud waste management is a critical aspect of the drilling process that requires careful attention to ensure environmental protection and compliance with regulations. When disposing of drilling mud waste, several key factors should be carefully considered to minimize environmental and human health impacts.

First, attention must be paid to the composition of drilling mud waste. Drilling mud typically contains a mixture of water, clay and various chemicals. Understanding the specific composition of waste is critical to determining the most appropriate disposal method. Some drilling mud waste may be classified as hazardous waste due to the presence of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, or other hazardous materials. In such cases, special handling and disposal procedures may be required to prevent contamination of soil and water sources.

Another important consideration in the drilling mud waste management process is the selection of an appropriate disposal site. It is crucial to choose a location that complies with local regulations and environmental guidelines. The site should be equipped with facilities capable of handling the quantities and types of waste to be disposed of, and measures should be in place to prevent contaminants from leaching into the surrounding environment.

Additionally, disposal methods are a key aspect to consider. There are many options for drilling mud waste disposal, including land application, injection wells, and disposal and discharge. Each method has its own set of requirements and potential environmental impacts. It is important to carefully evaluate the best disposal methods based on the specific characteristics of the waste and local environmental conditions.

Additionally, proper documentation and record keeping is critical during drilling mud waste disposal. Keeping detailed records of waste composition, disposal methods and disposal locations is important for regulatory compliance and environmental monitoring.

In conclusion, drilling mud waste management requires special attention to ensure environmental protection and regulatory compliance. The potential environmental impact of drilling mud waste can be minimized by understanding the composition of the waste, selecting an appropriate disposal site, selecting the correct disposal method, and maintaining complete documentation. It is critical for companies involved in drilling operations to prioritize responsible waste management practices to protect the environment and public health.

KOSUN- China Solids Control Leader&Drilling Waste Management Expert
Email: sales2@adkosun.com
WhatsApp/Wechat:+86 13379250593
Contact person: Monica Li
Online consulting:
http://www.kosun.com
http://www.kosuneco.com

Improving oil drilling efficiency with KOSUN drilling mud system

In the oil and gas industry, the efficiency and effectiveness of drilling operations are critical to success. A key component that plays an important role in this process is the drilling mud system. Kosun Machinery is a leading supplier of oil drilling mud systems, offering a comprehensive range of equipment designed to optimize the solids control process and improve overall drilling performance.

KOSUN oil drilling mud system is a multi-tank system, also known as solid control system or mud circulation system. It is specially designed for oil and gas drilling rigs, catering to various rig sizes from 250HP to 3000HP and different capacities. This versatility ensures that KOSUN’s mud systems can meet the specific requirements of different drilling operations, providing tailor-made solutions for optimal performance.

The core components of the KOSUN oil drilling mud system include a series of solids control equipment, each of which has a specific purpose in the solids control process. The system includes a slurry shaker for primary solids control, capable of handling particles as small as 100 microns. In addition, it has a desander for second phase solids control, for cuttings as small as 40 microns, and a desander for third phase solids control, for cuttings as small as 20 microns. To further enhance the separation of fine solids, the system is equipped with a decanter centrifuge capable of effectively separating particles in the 2-7 micron range.

drilling mud system

By integrating these advanced components into a comprehensive mud system, KOSUN Machinery enables drilling operators to effectively manage and control drilling mud, ensuring it meets the specifications required for optimal drilling performance. This not only improves the overall efficiency of the drilling process but also helps with cost savings and environmental compliance.

Overall, the KOSUN Oil Drilling Mud System is a testament to the company’s commitment to providing high-quality, tailor-made solutions to the oil and gas industry. With a focus on efficiency, performance and reliability, Kosun Machinery’s mud systems are valuable assets to any drilling operation, optimizing solids control and increasing overall drilling efficiency.

KOSUN- China Solids Control Leader&Drilling Waste Management Expert
Email: sales2@adkosun.com
WhatsApp/Wechat:+86 13379250593
Contact person: Monica Li
Online consulting:
http://www.kosun.com
http://www.kosuneco.com

Changqing Oil Drilling Cuttings Treatment Case

After drilling and completion of more than 20 oil Wells in Longdong main oil area of Changqing Oilfield, more than 8,000 tons of downhole cuttings generated from the production site were transported to the local Qingcheng brick making enterprise for secondary utilization to make sintered bricks, thus solving the problem of comprehensive treatment of drilling waste in oilfield development and realizing the safe and environmental protection resource utilization of water-based cuttings. This is only a microcosm of the industrial reapplication of oil and gas drilling cuttings to save energy and reduce consumption.

Effective utilization of solid waste resources is the best way to dispose drilling cuttings. In the early stage, since the “collection while drilling” treatment of drilling waste in Changqing Oilfield, the cost of outsourcing drilling cuttings is high, and the disposal occupies a lot of land, and there is a large safety and environmental protection risk. The relevant technicians selected nearly 100 oil and gas Wells in the whole oil and gas field according to different regions, formations and drilling fluid systems for sampling while drilling, and the test results all showed that water-based drilling cuttings were general industrial solid wastes. Researchers have carried out detailed analysis and testing of drilling cuttings, and innovated a variety of resource utilization ways such as paving of cuttings, paving well sites and making brick from cuttings, and improved the geotechnical properties of drilling cuttings, forming the drilling cuttings adding a certain proportion of lime and fly ash, which can meet the requirements of paving well sites and roadbed. By analyzing the characteristics of the cuttings, the additive formula of the cuttings free brick is overcome, which is based on ordinary Portland cement and supplemented by water-based epoxy resin. At the same time, the firing process of the cuttings, clay and coal gangue of the sintered brick is studied.

Changqing Oilfield has made a breakthrough in the non-landing disposal technology of rock cuttings to make the drilling site clean. The treatment process of “miscible collection + rubber breaking and destability + plate and frame press filtration” was established to achieve the maximum solid-liquid separation and the solid water content was less than 75%. To solve the problem of low pressure filtrate recovery rate after plate and frame filtration, in order to recycle liquid phase between Wells or well sites, an integrated treatment agent with a variety of mixtures was developed. The liquid phase recovery rate was greater than 65%, meeting the Class I industrial solid waste, solving the contradiction between mud non-landing process and drilling production, and fully realizing the transformation and upgrading from “in-situ curing” to “clean” treatment.

At present, the disposal and resource utilization technology of drilling cuttings in Changqing Oilfield has reached the industry standard in terms of pollution control, process design and operation management involved in the resource process of water-based drilling cuttings and liquid phase, and has realized the full coverage of safe and environmental protection disposal of drilling mud in Sulige, Yulin, Yan ‘an and other places in Changqing oil and gas area. It has obtained 5 invention patents, introduced 3 Changqing oilfield standards and 1 industry standard, further standardized the resource utilization of solid waste in oil and gas fields, reduced regional environmental risks, and turned waste into treasure after millions of square drilling cuttings and oily sludge treatment in oil fields.

KOSUN- China Solids Control Leader&Drilling Waste Management Expert
Email: sales2@adkosun.com
WhatsApp/Wechat:+86 13379250593
Contact person: Monica Li
Online consulting:
http://www.kosun.com
http://www.kosuneco.com