Current utilization, disposal and environmental management of drilling cuttings from oil and gas field exploitation

Large quantities of water-based drilling cuttings and small quantities of oil-based drilling cuttings are produced in the process of oil and gas exploitation. Currently, drilling cuttings are preliminarily collected and processed by non-landing treatment in most oil and gas fields. The drilling cuttings have the characteristics of high pH, high salt ion concentrations, high COD, and high oil content for oil-based drilling cuttings, and therefore, the rational treatment and disposal of drilling cuttings is a difficulty for the green development of oil and gas fields. The current environmental management of drilling cuttings in China and other countries was compared and analyzed, and the corresponding problems of environmental management in China were identified. Based on the pollution characteristics of drilling cuttings, the research and application status of the follow-up resource and harmless technologies were summarized, and the treatment effect, the advantages and disadvantages of each technology were analyzed. Finally, some suggestions were put forward for the utilization and disposal of drilling cuttings in China, including establishing a water-based classification management system, improving the environmental management system for their utilization and disposal process, and strengthening the source reduction and end uses.