Other

Pro Line Systems, Inc.

Kenneth J Boutte

Ban D Green

A method and apparatus for handling, processing and disposing the drill cuttings removed from the drilling mud of oil and gas well drilling rigs is disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize a shaker for separating drill cuttings from the mud, conduit for transporting the drill cuttings so separated to an extruder where the separated cuttings are compacted into a plurality of discrete compacted pellet-like bodies. The pellets substantially reduce the volume of drill cuttings. There is also a substantial reduction in the retained fluid volume, including the volume of environmentally harmful fluids, after the cuttings are compacted. Once extruded into pellets, the pelletized drill cuttings are transported to a desired end location that may include dumping the pellets offshore.

Method for handling, processing and disposing of drill cuttings

A method and apparatus for handling the drill cuttings removed from the drilling mud of an oil and gas well drilling rig is disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize a shaker for separating drill cuttings from the mud, conduit for transporting the drill cuttings so separated to an extruder where the separated cuttings are crushed and compacted into a plurality of discrete compacted pellet-like bodies of a substantially uniform size. Once extruded into pellets, the pelletized cuttings are transported by conveyors to fill collapsible, sealable storage bags that have be positioned on bag racks. When filled the storage bags are filled and then ultimately delivered to a desired location for disposal or further handling.

Method for handling and disposing of drill cuttings

A method and apparatus (10) for delivering dry bulk material (21) to a drilling mud system (50) of an oil and gas well comprises a plurality of collapsible bags (30) for holding a quantity of dry bulk material (21), each bag (30) being supported on a bag storage rack (20) having a discharge outlet (22) connected to the bags (30), the discharge outlets (22) having bag discharge valves (24); a hopper (40) for receiving and collecting material from the bags (30) and for discharging material into the drilling mud system (50) by means of a hopper discharge valve (48); a length of material discharge hose (70) connected to the discharge outlets (22) and to the hopper (40); and a vacuum pump (60) having a vacuum hose (47) to the hopper (40) for producing a vacuum in the hopper (40) and the hose (70) and thereby drawing material (21) from the bags (30) into the hopper (40) for discharge into the mud system (50). The racks have load cells (25) for measuring the weight of material in the bags and the load cells (25), the hopper discharge valve (48); and the bag discharge valves (24) may be connected to a programmable control panel (65) for remotely controlling the flow of material from each of the bags (30) to the hopper (40).

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Lafayette, LA, United States of America

Kenneth J Boutte