One of the most urgent problems' facing the oil and gas industry is the treatment and utilization of drilling cuttings. This work presents the results of our study of the physicochemical properties of carbonate oil based mud cuttings (COBMC) after thermal treatment at 340°C. The work also demonstrates the technology utilized and the potential for further usage of the cuttings. Firstly the composition of COBMC was analyzed. The contents were identified as water, chemical impurities, hydrocarbons, sulphur, surfactants, ash. The physical properties, pH, density, flash point and chemical oxygen demand of the slurry were determined. The slurry was identified as having three phases (solids, oil and water) which require the use of chemical reagents and surfactants for separation. The elementary composition of the solid residue was identified as, calcium, barium, silicon, iron, sulphur, potassium, calcite, halite, barite, dolomite, anhydrite and quartz. The composition and properties of the COBMC allows us to assume the material could be suitable for use as road construction material. A mineral bitumen composition was designed, and its optimal composition was determined. Frost resistance and water absorption parameters were evaluated. The material which contained 7 % wt. of the COBMC mineral residue (post thermal treatment) was identified as being optimal for use. As a result of our research, a technology of thermal treatment of COBMC at temperatures of circa 340°C has been identified, and the resulted solid residue containing COBMC was activated with a mineral powder and used to surface an access road to Dostyk village (Furmanovo) on a Uralsk – Teploe motor road in West Kazakhstan Oblast.

<p>Oil based drilling cuttings after thermal treatment processed at 340 °С were used as mineral powder for creation of composite material. For a compounding of drilling cuttings the road asphalt of the BND 60/90 brand was used. Efficient activity of natural radio nuclides which made 25 ± 5 Bq/kg was identified. Element structure of drilling cuttings was identified with the usage the method of the X-ray phase analysis. Existence of the signal corresponding to the following connections was established: СаСО₃ – calcite, NaCl – halite, BaSO₄ – barite, CaMg(CO₃)₂ – dolomite. Content of calcite makes 65% of masses, content of halite – 15% of masses, content of dolomite – 8% of masses, content of barite – 10% of masses. A small amount of оrganite (СаСО₃), anhydrite (CaSO₄) and quartz (SiO₂) was discovered. Formation of series of test samples of composite material with the subsequent research of their physical and chemical and operational properties was done. The most optimum is the asphalt concrete mixture with the content of 7% of drilling cuttings as mineral powder. Physical and chemical characteristics of the made samples indicate compliance to qualifying standards. The received results allow recommending drilling cuttings after thermal treatment as a mineral additive at construction of highways of IV-V technical category. The use of oil based drilling cuttings as a mineral component of road-building coverings does not constitute ecological danger to the environment, thereby, it gives the chance to solve one of the urgent environmental problems of the region, i.e. the effective use of industrial wastes and environment protection.</p>