A Safer Way to Manage Drilling Waste
Steel mills across the U.S. used to discharge massive amounts of slag into large dumping areas with little to no treatment or containment in place. However, the industry discovered an opportunity to recycle their waste. Now a majority of the slag produced in the U.S. is used to create cement. The steel industry found a way to reduce their environmental impact while bringing value to their byproducts without the need for further regulations.
Similarly, the oil and gas industry has the opportunity to recycle their waste streams affordably and reduce their environmental impact without the need for legislation. Oil-based and salt water drilled cuttings carry significant environmental risks and liabilities can be addressed through recycling.
The general public is embracing sustainability and beginning to focus on the environmental impact of the oil and gas industry. As the public’s attention turns toward the industry, it is imperative that oil and gas companies continue to reduce their impact on the environment by adopting new practices. One area of particular concern is the disposal of drilling waste due to the presence of salts, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons.
After years of research and development, working with industry experts and countless hours in our lab, Scott Energy offers an environmentally-friendly, cost-effective way to manage solid drilling waste. We use solidification/stabilization (S/S) to sequester the contaminants found in drilling waste and utilize the treated cuttings to construct monolithic drilling pads and lease roads.