Other

M-l L.l.c.

Gary H Dietzen

Daniel Perez

Brian Campbell

Martin Slater

Nicholas Hilbig

An improved method for removing proppant from fluid used in an oil and gas well for reuse in future operations. The proppant is separated from the well fluid and transported to a materials collection tank. A crane then transports the materials collection tank onto a processing boat. On the processing boat, the proppant is vacuumed from the materials collection tank to a hopper. The proppant is then discharged from the hopper into a holding tank for treatment and reuse. In a first alternative embodiment, two hoppers are positioned above each other so that the proppant can be added to the upper hopper and then fed by gravity to the lower hopper. A valving arrangement maintains vacuum within the interior of at least one hopper at all times to provide a continuous vacuum operation. A conduit discharges from the lower hopper into the holding tank.

Proppant recovery system

A method and apparatus for removing drill cuttings from an oil and gas well drilling platform provides for the separation of drill cuttings from at least a volume of the well drilling fluid (i.e. drilling mud) on the drilling platform so that the drilling fluids can be recycled into the well bore. The cuttings are then transferred to a cuttings collection receptacle (eg. trough) on the platform. The separated drill cuttings are then suctioned with a first suction line having an intake portion. The suctioned drill cuttings are transmitted to a processing tank (or multiple such tanks) on the platform, each having a tank interior. A vacuum is formed within the processing tank interior with a blower that is in fluid communication with the tank interior via a second vacuum line. The tank is connected to a floating work boat with a discharge flow line. Cuttings are processed within the tank, being chopped or cut into smaller size particles with a pump that is preferably contained within the processing tank. Cuttings are slurrified or liquified in the processing tank, then transmitted from the tank to the work boat via the flow line. Multiple holding tanks can be positioned on the drilling platform for storage of cuttings until a work boat arrives. The work boat can be provided with one or more high capacity work boat holding tanks (for example 100-1000 barrels) for receiving cuttings from the multiple holding tanks on the drilling platform when disposal is desired.

Method and apparatus for handling and disposal of oil and gas well drill cuttings

A method and apparatus of removing drill cuttings from an oil and gas well drilling platform includes the steps of separating the drill cuttings from the well drilling fluid on the drilling platform so that the drilling fluids can be recycled into the well bore during drilling operations. The cuttings are then transmitted via gravity flow to a materials trough having an interior defined by sidewalls and a bottom portion. The drill cuttings are suctioned from the bottom portion of the trough interior with a suction line having an intake portion that is positioned at the materials trough bottom. Drill cuttings are transmitted via the suction line to a pair of hoppers that each have an interior chamber. A vacuum is formed in sequence within the interior chamber of each hopper using a vacuum means that is in fluid communication with the hopper interior chambers. The two hoppers are positioned one above the other so that cuttings can be added to the first, upper hopper via the suction line and then fed by gravity to the second, lower hopper. A valving arrangement maintains vacuum within the interior chamber of at least one hopper at all times. The lower hopper discharges onto a shaker where drilling fluids are separated from drill cuttings. The separated drilling fluids are then saved in a storage tank for recycling into the well bore during drilling operations. The separated drill cuttings are then discharged into a holding tank for storage and transportation.

Oil and gas well cuttings disposal system with continous vacuum operation for sequentially filling disposal tanks

A method and apparatus for removing drill cuttings from an oil and gas well drilling platform provides for the separation of drill cuttings from at least a volume of the well drilling fluid (i.e. drilling mud) on the drilling platform so that the drilling fluids can be recycled into the well bore. The cuttings are then transferred to a cuttings collection area on the platform. The separated drill cuttings are then suctioned with a first suction line having an intake portion. The suctioned drill cuttings are transmitted to a vacuum holding tank or multiple tanks on the platform, each having a tank interior. A vacuum is formed within the holding tank interior with a blower that is in fluid communication with the tank interior via a second vacuum line. The holding tank is then connected to a floating work boat with a discharge flow line. Cuttings are then transmitted from the tank on the platform to the work boat via the flow line. In an alternate embodiment, cuttings can be transferred to an underwater storage area. In this fashion, multiple holding tanks on the drilling platform can be used to store cuttings until a work boat arrives. The work boat can be provided with its own high capacity work boat holding tank (for example 100-1000 barrels) for receiving cuttings from the multiple tanks on the drilling platform when disposal is desired. The underwater storage tank can be used in place of or as a supplement to the work boat holding tanks.

A vacuum tank apparatus for use with oil and gas well drilling operations facilitates the removal of well cuttings generated by drilling. The tank apparatus provides a frame having a plurality of corners reinforced by structural corner columns. The frame includes a base having a structural, generally horizontally extended base that includes a plurality of base perimeter beams. The columns are connected structurally to the base at the perimeter beams. The upper end portion of the frame includes a plurality of upper perimeter beams. The columns are structurally connected to the base and the perimeter beams. A shaped hopper is supported by the frame internally of the perimeter beams. The hopper includes an interior and a sidewall comprised of a plurality of inclined wall sections. Each wall section includes an upper end portion that connects to the frame at the perimeter beams, and a lower end portion that extends to another lower end portion of another inclined wall section. An outlet header at the bottom of the hopper next to the lower end portions of the inclined wall sections is provided. The outlet header includes a discharge outlet for discharging solid material from the hopper interior. The outlet header includes an inlet fitting for injecting pressurized into the outlet header during an emptying of the tank. A top wall of the hopper has multiple hatches that include a first hatch near a perimeter beam and a second hatch next to a second perimeter beam that is parallel to the first perimeter beam. These hatches enable material to be added to the tank interior during use, such as, for example, by employing a pair of suction lines that are connected to a single plate covering one of the outlets in the tank top or a pair of suction lines that are mounted respectively to the pair of inlet openings.

Vacuum tank for use in handling oil and gas well cuttings

A method and apparatus of removing drill cuttings from an oil and gas well drilling platform includes the steps of separating the drill cuttings from the well drilling fluid on the drilling platform so that the drilling fluids can be recycled into the well bore during drilling operations. The cuttings are then transmitted via gravity flow to a materials trough having an interior defined by sidewalls and a bottom portion. The drill cuttings are suctioned from the bottom portion of the trough interior with a suction line having an intake portion that is positioned at the materials trough bottom. Drill cuttings are transmitted via the suction line to a pair of hoppers that each have an interior. A vacuum is formed in sequence within the interior of each hopper using a blower that is in fluid communication with the hopper interiors. The two hoppers are positioned one above the other so that cuttings can be added to the first, upper hopper via the suction line and then fed by gravity to the second, lower hopper. A valving arrangement maintains vacuum within the interior of at least one hopper at all times. A conduit discharges from the lower hopper into a selected holding tank so that a number of holding tanks can be filled in sequential, continuous fashion. As one tank is filled, the conduit is directed to the next holding tank.

Oil and gas well cuttings disposal system with continuous vacuum

An oil well cuttings disposal tank apparatus of improved construction provides a tank body having an interior and a plurality of side walls, a plurality of end walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall with a discharge opening at one end portion thereof. The discharge opening communicates with the intersection of the top wall and one of the end walls. A hatch is provided for opening and closing the discharge opening. A plurality of lifting plates are attached to the side walls and extend upwardly from the top wall, each of the lifting plates having openings or eyelets for attaching lifting lines thereto. A stacking beam is associated with each lifting plate, each stacking beam extending from the top wall upwardly a distance and attaching to the lifting plate at a position above the top wall. Each stacking beam has a load bearing surface that extends laterally from its lifting plate inwardly toward an opposite stacking beam and the central portion of the tank. A pair of slots on the lower end portion of the tank body at the bottom wall are provided, the slots being shaped to conform to and nest upon the bearing surfaces of the stacking beams when one tank body is nested upon another similarly configured tank body. Upper portions of the lifting plates prevents sliding of one tank relative to the other tank in a 'X' direction. The connection between stacking beams and lateral slots prevent sliding of one tank stacked upon another tank in a 'Y' direction.

Cuttings tank apparatus

A method of removing drill cuttings from an oil and gas well drilling platform includes the steps of separating the drill cuttings from the well drilling fluid on the drilling platform so that the drilling fluids can be recycled into the well bore during drilling operations. The cuttings are transmitted via gravity flow to a materials trough having an interior defined by sidewalls and a bottom portion. The drill cuttings are suctioned from the bottom portion of the trough interior with a first suction line having an intake portion that is positioned at the materials trough bottom. Drill cuttings are transmitted via the suction line at flow velocities in excess of 100 feet per second to a tank that has two collection chambers. A vacuum is formed in sequence within the interior of each chamber using a blower that is in fluid communication with the tank interior via a second vacuum line. In one embodiment a valve apparatus (preferably timer controlled) directs drill cuttings to one chamber until full and then to another chamber. As each chamber is filled, the cuttings are squeezed with a hydraulic ram to separate drilling fluid from the cuttings and then force the cuttings from the chamber via a lowermost check valve.

Oil and gas well cuttings disposal system

A method of removing drill cuttings from an oil and gas well drilling platform includes the steps of separating the drill cuttings from the well drilling fluid on the drilling platform so that the drilling fluids can be recycled into the well bore during drilling operations. The cuttings are then transmitted via gravity flow to a materials trough having an interior defined by sidewalls and a bottom portion. The drill cuttings are suctioned from the bottom portion of the trough interior with a pair of primary suction lines, each having an intake portion that is positioned at the materials trough bottom. Drill cuttings are transmitted via the primary suction lines at flow velocities in excess of 100 feet per second to a pair of collection tanks that each have an interior. A vacuum is formed in sequence within the interior of each tank using a blower that is in fluid communication with the tank interior via a vacuum tank and secondary suction lines.

A method of removing drill cuttings from an oil and gas well drilling platform includes the steps of separating the drill cuttings from the well drilling fluid on the drilling platform so that the drilling fluids can be recycled into the well bore during drilling operations. The cuttings are transmitted via gravity flow to a materials trough having an interior defined by sidewalls and a bottom portion. The drill cuttings are suctioned from the bottom portion of the trough interior with a first suction line having an intake portion that is positioned at the materials trough bottom. Drill cuttings are transmitted via the suction line at flow velocities in excess of 100 feet per second to a holding tank that has an access opening. A vacuum is formed within the holding tank interior using a blower that is in fluid communication with the tank interior via a second vacuum line. Liquids and solids flowing in the vacuum lines are separated from the vacuum lines before the liquids and solids can enter the blower. The blower is powered with an electric motor and the tank interior is sealed after being filled with drill cuttings to be disposed of. The tank is configured to be emptied via gravity flow at a remote disposal site by opening the access openings and allowing the cuttings to flow via gravity from the tank interior access openings.

An vehicle fluids change and recycle apparatus includes a vessel body having an interior reservoir for containing oil drained from an engine. The body includes parallel and rear surfaces on opposite sides of the interior reservoir. The vessel body includes an inlet for enabling draining oil to enter the reservoir at the front surface of the vessel body. The lower end of the vessel body has a pedestal for enabling the vessel body to be supported in an upright position wherein the front and rear surfaces are generally vertical. An outlet member defines a drain for emptying the reservoir when the vessel is upright and a valve controls flow from the reservoir via the outlet. The valve is spaced above the pedestal when the vessel body is upright enabling a container to be placed under the valve when the vessel body is upright so that drained engine oil can be recycled into such container.

Apparatus for changing and recycling vehicle fluids

Bulk products container

A vehicle fluids change and recycle apparatus includes a vessel body having an interior reservoir for containing oil drained from an engine. The body includes parallel and rear surfaces on opposite sides of the interior reservoir. The vessel body includes an inlet for enabling draining oil to enter the reservoir at the front surface of the vessel body. The lower end of the vessel body has a pedestal for enabling the vessel body to be supported in an upright position wherein the front and rear surfaces are generally vertical. An outlet member defines a drain for emptying the reservoir when the vessel is upright and a valve controls flow from the reservoir via the outlet. The valve is spaced above the pedestal when the vessel body is upright enabling a container to be placed under the valve when the vessel body is upright so that drained engine oil can be recycled into such container.

Growing community of inventors

Lafayette, LA, United States of America

Gary H Dietzen