Usage of Oil Based Carbonate Mud Drilling Cuttings Post Thermo-treatment as Secondary Raw Mineral Materials

Abstract

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.