Soil Properties Affecting Wheat Yields following Drilling‐Fluid Application

Abstract

Oil and gas drilling operations use drilling fluids (mud) to lubricate the drill bit and stem, transport formation cuttings to the surface, and seal off porous geologic formations. Following completion of the well, waste drilling fluid is often applied to cropland. We studied potential changes in soil compaction as indicated by cone penetration resistance, pH, electrical conductivity (EC(e)), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), extractable soil and total straw and grain trace metal and nutrient concentrations, and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. 'TAM 107') grain yield following water-based, bentonitic drilling-fluid application (0-94 Mg ha(-1)) to field test plots. Three methods of application (normal, splash-plate, and spreader-bar) were used to study compaction effects. We measured increasing SAR, EC(e), and pH with drilling-fluid rates, but not to levels detrimental to crop production. Field measurements revealed significantly higher compaction within areas affected by truck travel, but also not enough to affect crop yield. In three of four site years, neither drilling-fluid rate nor application method affected grain yield. Extractions representing plant availability and plant analyses results indicated that drilling fluid did not significantly increase most trace elements or nutrient concentrations. These results support land application of water-based bentonitic drilling fluids as an acceptable practice on well-drained soils using controlled rates.

The effect of drilling fluids and crude oil on some chemical characteristics of soil and crops

“…An increase in pH was recorded in treatments involving application of drilling fluids (100% or some other percent), which was expected because drilling fluids are rich in calcium (Table 2). Increased calcium levels in drilling fluids are a direct result of the use of calcium as an additive for preventing corrosion of oil/gas pumping pipes and for raising fluid density during drilling (Carls et al, 1995;Bauder et al, 2005). CaCO 3 is also commonly added to bind fluids during remediation of pipeline breakages or other incidents.…”

COMPARACIÓN DEL DESECHO DE UN FLUIDO DE PERFORACIÓN BASE AGUA NO DISPERSO CON LA FERTILIZACIÓN QUÍMICA EN EL CULTIVO DE FRIJOL (Vigna unguiculata (L.) WALP.)

“…Las diferencias y semejanzas entre este ensayo y los reportados en la literatura pueden deberse al amplio rango de componentes de los fluidos de perforación y las dosis usadas por varios investigadores como la ha apuntado Bauder et al (2005).…”

Metals Phytoextraction by Cordia africana from Soils Contaminated with Oil Drilling Waste

“…The search for alternative energy sources to fossil fuels, which began in the late 1990s, has not decreased the permanent search for oil and gas. The search for new oil and gas fields in Brazil and worldwide has been increasing and may generate large amounts of waste, requiring adequate disposal and/or treatment sites (Bauder et al, 2005).…”