Experimental Investigation of Diatomaceous Earth Application in Drilling Waste Stabilization

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Petroleum and Chemical Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Drilling operation is one of the difficult and costly operations in petroleum industry. One of the challenges encountered with oil and gas industries is contaminations caused by drilling waste. Chemical compounds that used for adjusting the physical and rheological properties of drilling fluid and drill cuttings can have destructive effects on the environment. In this study, application of diatomaceous earth as a natural material for the treatment of drill cuttings was investigated on waste samples from Cheshme-Khosh field.
To evaluate the quality of the stabilized waste using diatomaceous earth, Sheen, Can and Retort tests were carried out. Moreover, the possibility of soil regeneration was investigated by wheat seed cultivation. The results of the experimental tests done on the stabilized waste showed that moisture adsorption and cuttings fixation was well done. Unlike other chemicals, no changes were observed in stabilized waste pH using diatomaceous earth. The optimum amount of diatomaceous earth for fixation of waste samples contain 65% and 78% solid particles were obtained 0.038 and 0.025 gr/cm3, respectively. Wheat seed growth in stabilized samples indicated the compatibility of the method with the environment. In this method, not only the drilling wastes contamination has been removed from the environment but also the soil regeneration becomes possible. The results indicated that the diatomaceous earth has a great potential for moisture removal and drilling waste stabilization

Keywords

Ahammad Sharif, M.D., Nagalakshmi, N.V.R., Srigowri Reddy, S., Vasanth, G., Uma Sankar, K, 2017. Drilling Waste Management and Control the Effects. Journal of Advanced Chemical Engineering 7(1), 1-9.
Aivalioti, M., Vamvasakis, I., Gidarakos, E., 2010. BTEX and MTBE Adsorption onto Raw and Thermally Modified Diatomite. Journal of Hazardous Materials 178, 136-143.
Asadi, B., 1982. Mud Engineering and Application in Oil Well Drilling. Drilling Headquarters Publication, South oilfields, Ahwaz. 150 p. In Persian.
Bourgoyne, A.T., Millheim, K.K., Chenevert, M.E., Young, F.S., 1991. Applied Drilling Engineering, SPE Textbook Series, Vol. 2, 502 p.
Fields, P., Korunic, Z., 2000. The Effect of Grain Moisture Content and Temperature on the Efficacy of Diatomaceous Earth from Different Geographical Locations. Journal of Stored Products Research 36(1), 1-13. 
Golestanifar, H., Beheshti, A., 2015. Drilling Waste Management in Oil and Gas Exploration Wells. Farahmand Publication, Tehran. In Persian
Hanna, A.A, Sherief, M.A., Aboelenin, R.M.M., 2014. Removal of Some Heavy Metals from Wastewater by Using Diatomaceous Earth. Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences 5(3), 189-205.
Hassan, M.W.A., Kamal, K.A., 2000. Waste Management in View of Environment. SPE-61473, SPE International Conference on Health, Safety and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production, Norway. pp. 1-11.
Kalhor Mohammadi, M., Tahmasbi, K., 2008. Drilling Waste Management Plans for Exploration and Production Operations in Iran. SPE-11194, SPE International Conference on Health, Safety, and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production, France. pp. 1-6
 Kheirizadeh, O., Abbaszadeh Shahri, A., Ghaderi, A., 2013. Drilling Mud Engineering, Ketab Ava Publication, Tehran, 176 p. In Persian.
Korunic, Z., 2013. Diatomaceous Earths-Natural Insecticides. Pesticides & Phytomedicine (Belgrade), 28(2), 77–95.
Meng, Q., Chen, H., Lin, J., Lin, Z., Sun, J., 2017. A Zeolite, synthesized from alkaline assisted pre-activated halloysite for efficient heavy metal removal in polluted river water and industrial wastewater. J.Environ.Sci.56, 254–262.
Morsy Heg, M.B., 2010. Diatomite: Its Characterization, Modifications and Applications. Asian Journal of Materials Science 2, 121-136.
Neff, J.M., 2005. Composition, Environmental, Fates, and Biological Effects of Water Based Drilling Muds and Cuttings Discharged to the Marine Environment. Prepared for Petroleum Environmental Research Forum and American Petroleum Institute.
Okparanma1, R.N., Araka, P.P., Ayotamuno1, J.M., Mouazen, A.M., 2018. Towards enhancing sustainable reuse of pre-treated drill cuttings for construction purposes by near-infrared analysis: A review. Journal of Civil Engineering and Construction Technology 9(3), 19-39.
Oliveira, F.J.S., Santana, D.S., Costa, S.S.B., Oliveira, L.D., Liduino, V.S., Servulo, E.F.C., 2017. Generation, Characterization and Reuse of Solid Wastes from a Biodiesel Production Plant. Waste Management 61, 87-95.
Phillips, L., Morris, A., Innes, G., Clark, A., Hinden, P.M., 2018. Drilling Waste Management – Solutions that Optimise Drilling, Reduce Well Cost and Improve Environmental Performance. SPE-192793, International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference, Abu Dhabi.
Rena, S., 2008. Facts and Data on Environmental Risks - Oil and Gas Drilling Operations. SPE 114993, SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Australia. pp. 1-21.
Salih, S.S., Ghosh, T.K., 2017. Adsorption of Zn (II) Ions by Chitosan Coated Diatomaceous Earth. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 106(1), 602-610.
Thompson, M., 2015. A Critical Review of Water Purification Technology Appropriate for Developing Countries: Northern Ghana as a case study. Desalination and Water Treatment 54, 3487–3493.
Xu, T., Wang, L., Wang, X., Li, T., Zhan, X., 2018. Heavy Metal Pollution of Oil-based Drill Cuttings at a Shale Gas Drilling Field in Chongqing, China: A Human Health Risk Assessment for the Workers. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 165, 160-163.
Yudistira, B., 2018. Best Practicable Environmental Options Assessment for Drilled Cuttings and Fluids Waste Management Strategy. Offshore Technology Conference Asia, Malaysia.
Zha, X., Liao, X., Zhao, X., Liu, F., He, A.Q., Xiong, W.X., 2018. Turning Waste Drilling Fluids into a New, Sustainable Soil Resources for Landscaping. Ecological Engineering 121, 130-136.