Waste is inevitable in any activity of construction, but there is not necessarily an issue so much with waste as there is with how it is dealt with. Technology has been instrumental in helping avoid waste in the oil industry, and that technology is solids control.
Solids control is a technique used in oil drilling. It is typically located on a drilling rig and is used to separate the solids in the drilling mud. These solids are created by the crushing of the drill bits that are carried out of the well surface.
Essentially, solids control is the recycling of the drilling mud, and it saves costs regarding mud quantity and disposal. Although there are other forms of waste management in the oil industry, solids control is one of the best options to drilling waste management and helps to minimize the environmental impact of oil drilling.
Stages
Solid control systems contain multiple parts and stages.
Mud tank: Mixes and stores drilling mud
Shale shaker screen: Removes large solids
Hydrocyclones: Speeds up the settling process
Centrifugal screw pumps: Provides feed pressure and volume to operate the hydrocyclone
Desander: Removes medium-sized solids
Desilter: Removes small-sized solids
Vacuum degasser: Removes air from mud agitator
Conveying equipment system: Transports cuttings
Centrifuge: Recovers barite and complies with environmental standards
Mud cooler
Cuttings dryer: Removes moisture from cuttings
Dewatering: Removes fine solids
Containers: Holds cuttings for transport