Characterization of drilling waste from shale gas exploration in Central and Eastern Poland

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine and evaluate the chemical properties of drilling waste from five well sites in Central and Eastern Poland. It was found that spent drilling fluids can contain high values of nickel and mercury (270 and 8.77 mg kg respectively) and can exceed the maximum permissible limits recommended by the EC regulations for safety of soils (75 mg kg for nickel and 1.5 mg kg for mercury). The heavy metal concentrations in the studied drill cuttings did not exceed the maximum permissible limits recommended by the EC regulation. Drilling wastes contain macroelements (e.g., calcium, magnesium, and potassium) as well as trace elements (e.g., copper, iron, zinc, and manganese) that are essential for the plant growth. It was stated that water extracts of drilling fluids and drill cuttings, according to anions presence, had not any specific constituents of concern based on FAO irrigation guidelines, the USEPA WQC, and toxicity values. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to understand the structure and texture of waste drilling fluid solids and drill cuttings. Analysis of the mineralogical character of drilling fluid solids revealed that they contained calcite, quartz, muscovite, sylvite, barite, dolomite, and orthoclase. Drill cuttings contained calcite quartz, muscovite, barite, dolomite, and barium chloride.

Potential Impacts of Shale Gas Development on Inorganic Groundwater Chemistry: Implications for Environmental Baseline Assessment in Shallow Aquifers

“…The drilling and completion of shale gas wells can generate large volumes of drilling wastes. , Drilling wastes consist of drill cuttings (shale rock pieces) usually enriched in trace metals/metalloids and/or NORMs as well as residual drilling muds which often contain elevated Ba (barite used as weighting agent) and various organic chemicals, such as base oil, polymers, and biocides. , The leaching of poorly managed drilling wastes by rainwater may release toxic elements into shallow groundwater through runoff (Figure ). Based on leaching experiments, several studies have evaluated the potential for the release of toxic trace elements and NORMs from exposing shale cuttings to surface conditions. ,,,− These studies revealed that the oxidative dissolution of sulfide minerals and organic matter may be a significant source of dissolved trace metals/metalloids (e.g., As, Cd, Mo, Ni, and Zn) in leachates (Figure ).…”

“…42,77 Drilling wastes consist of drill cuttings (shale rock pieces) usually enriched in trace metals/metalloids and/or NORMs as well as residual drilling muds which often contain elevated Ba (barite used as weighting agent) and various organic chemicals, such as base oil, polymers, and biocides. 42,91 The leaching of poorly managed drilling wastes by rainwater may release toxic elements into shallow groundwater through runoff (Figure 1). evaluated the potential for the release of toxic trace elements and NORMs from exposing shale cuttings to surface conditions.…”

Effect of drill cuttings addition on physicochemical and chemical properties of soil and red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) growth

“…The legal regulations in the European Union do not allow the application of drilling wastes onto the land surface, in contrast to the law in Canada or the United States. Thus, in Poland, these methods are not employed [ 13 ], although adding drilling wastes to soils seems to be a convenient method of their management.…”

Nickel contamination of laterite soil by hydraulic fracturing flowback water: Geochemical behaviour and policy implications

“…For example, in the West Texas area, the Ni contents in flowback water, disposal wells and waste pit samples range from 3.06 to 4.78 mg L −1 (Thacker et al., 2015). High levels of Ni were also detected in drilling cuttings and its runoff liquid (Mikos‐Szymanska et al., 2018; Wang et al, 2017). The Ni contents in drilling cuttings and drilling fluid samples in central and eastern Poland range from 24 to 71 mg kg −1 and 16 to 270 mg kg −1 , respectively (Mikos‐Szymanska et al., 2018).…”

“…High levels of Ni were also detected in drilling cuttings and its runoff liquid (Mikos‐Szymanska et al., 2018; Wang et al, 2017). The Ni contents in drilling cuttings and drilling fluid samples in central and eastern Poland range from 24 to 71 mg kg −1 and 16 to 270 mg kg −1 , respectively (Mikos‐Szymanska et al., 2018). The Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation shale, a promising shale gas target zone in southwest China, could possibly have Ni enrichment (Neelameggham et al, 2014; Wang & Zhang, 2016).…”