As more utility contractors are moving up to larger rigs, they are also moving toward the use of solids removal ( solid control ) systems. These solid control systems are not stand-alone units. They are part of the drilling fluids system along with the drilling fluid and the fluid pump.
Solids control equipment and solids control job doesn't like high viscosity fluids. High viscosity fluids don't pass through shaker screens as easily as lower viscosity fluids. They tend to create surface tension that can blind the screen openings and cause the fluids to pass off the end of the shale shakers. The viscosity problem also exists in the hydro-cyclones ( desanders and desilters ). Hydro-cyclone of each size operates most efficiently within a certain pressure range. If the available pressure of the pump feeding hydro-cyclone is being used up in moving the fluid, the efficiency of the hydro-cyclone is greatly reduced.
The viscosity problem may be coming from building too much viscosity with drilling fluid additives ( bentonite and polymers ). However, the problem can easily come from high solids content in the slurry that is being pumped from the sump up to the solids control unit.
Pump more fluid when backreaming. This is one reason that these larger rigs we're using have larger pumps. They are extremely necessary when back-reaming because of the larger reamers we're pulling and, therefore, more soil will be cut. This means more solids being created in the slurry. If you don't have a larger pump, then slow down in order to maintain a lower solids content and therefore, a lower slurry viscosity.
When adding water to the system, add it at the sump pit or at the shale shakers so that the thinning effect from any water additions will help keep the separation equipment more efficient. Add anything that thins the fluid as early as possible, at the sump for example. Anything that thickens the fluid should be added to the system as late as possible, at the pump suction pit for example.
When mixing fluid additives through a venturi or any other type of mixer, mix the material slowly over an entire circulation ( tanks plus hole volume ) or multiple circulations. This will give some assurance that the fluid and slurry is consistent throughout the mud system.
This year, KEMTRON Technologies is proud to celebrate 25 years of business. From the very beginning, KEMTRON has been providing quality, sophisticated solids control and waste management equipment to the oil and gas industry. This remarkable benchmark has been made possible by our unwavering commitment to our customers through offering durable value, now.
For 2014, after intensive research and development, KEMTRON is excited to introduce the KT-1655HD Barite Recovery & Dewatering Centrifuge. The KT-1655HD is...
Solids control system is the indispensable sector in oil & gas drilling oeration, consists of drilling fluids circulating tank, drilling fluids purification equipment where shale shaker,vacuum degasser,desander, desilter,decanter centrifuge,centrifugal pump,mud agitator,jet mud mixer and mud gun are involved and electric control equipment. Cuttings recovery and waste fluids treatment equipment can also be coupled for the environmental sensitive areas.
Established in 1992 and headquartered in Xi’an,...
Bentonite is a naturally-occurring clay material, largely composed of the mineral, sodium mont-morillonite. The dominant property of bentonite is that it swells to many times its dry volume when hydrated by water, forming a viscous fluid with high gel strength. This makes bentonite an excellent product when used as a sealant, for preventing the influx of surface water into a well, sealing abandoned wells, or building slurry walls to contain contaminated groundwater.Bentonite is also frequently used as the base...
A rig worker smells rotten eggs near the well head, rubs his itchy eyes as he investigates the frosty pipe connections. After a few moments, he believes all is fine as he no longer smells the tell-tale hydrogen sulphide odour. In this scenario, we can only hope the worker recognises the danger and quickly leaves the site. Oil fields, especially mature ones, can produce hydrogen sulphide gas – deadly at relatively low concentrations. On average, a person takes 12 breaths per minute, so if a hydrogen sulphide...
Xanthate was successfully grafted onto bentonite by a relatively simple solution reaction. The obtained xanthated bentonite (XBent) was characterized by FT-IR spectrophotometer, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), particle size analysis, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XBent acting as a type of environmentally friendly adsorbent was applied to remove lead ions from aqueous solutions. The optimum conditions were as follows: [Pb2 + ]=500 mg L−1, [XBent]=2 g L−1, pH = 5.0; oscillating...
Abstract
Although different barium compounds are known to exhibit vastly different toxicities, cleanup standards for barium in soil or sediment at environmental corrective action sites are typically based on total barium concentration without regard for the specific barium compounds present. However, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has recently agreed that the insoluble barium compound barium sulfate (i.e., barite) is not a compound of concern with regard to human health, thereby eliminating...
A three stage and a one-stage bench-scale biofilter with effective heights of 129 cm filled with same type of packing material were operated at different influent concentrations of ammonia in order to investigate their performance in treating waste gas streams. The columns contained a mixture of municipal compost inoculated with thickened municipal activated sludge as a base material and shredded hard plastic as a bulking agent in a 3:2 v/v ratio; the porosity, density and pH were 52 %, 0.65 and 7.2 respectively....
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ABSTRACT
Much has been written about the advantages of multilevel (multiport) monitoring wells over clustered or nested monitoring wells, however, there is little published information that provides helpful hints and `dos and don`ts` for planning successful multilevel well projects. This paper discusses the differences in both design and construction techniques between conventional monitoring wells and multilevel wells, with emphasis on avoiding some of the pitfalls that can...
Oil Storage Tank with a Floating Roof
Floating Roof Drainage Operation Stormwater accumulated on a concave floating roof of an oil storage tank may affect its floatation, making it necessary to immediately drain the water. This is usually done through a flexible pipe, running from the floating roof down the tank, with an outlet above the ground near the bottom of the tank.
Problems in Roof Drainage OperationThe following problems may occur in the operation of a floating roof drainage system:
Small or large...
ABSTRACT
A two-month pilot study was conducted at the Village Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in Birmingham, Alabama to test the technical feasibility of utilizing a high-rate, highdensity solids contact clarification process for the treatment of sanitary sewer overflow (SSO). Five phases of testing were performed over the two-month period. During Phase I testing, optimum steady state operating parameters were determined and clarifier performance was investigated at surface overflow rates ranging from 29 to 60...
Regulatory pressure on public utilities is a regular occurrence around the world, but some requirements are fundamental enough to effect a major change in the way an industry performs. The CMOM program for sewer collection utilities in the USA promises to be such an initiative. Its impact will be profound, as Tom Davies, President of Wallingford Software Inc, explains in this article.
The CMOM program - Capacity Management, Operation and Maintenance – was developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency in...
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Two component cartridges are used to package a wide variety of materials used for many different purposes. Many of the applications for cartridges are widely known throughout the adhesives and sealants industry. Many people, however, may not be aware of some of the newer or more obscure applications for this convenient form of packaging. This paper will discuss some of these less known applications as well as reviewing some of the more common uses for two component adhesives and...
Abstract: Releases of petroleum compounds from underground storage tanks (USTs) containing diesel fuel and gasoline are a serious and increasingly prevalent problem in Puerto Rico. Remediation of groundwater impacted by these releases utilizing common methodologies can be quite costly and require long periods of time to implement. Oxygen is often the limiting factor retarding optimal biodegredation of petroleum compounds in groundwater. The delivery of dissolved oxygen to impacted groundwater zones will enhance...
The MIEX®1 Resin process was developed in Australia for the removal of natural organic material in water treatment. This novel, truly continuous ion exchange process, is based on the MIEX® resin – a micro size, macroporous, strong base, magnetic ion exchange resin. The resin was specially developed for this application and optimised for reversible removal of negatively charged organic ions.
The MIEX® resin process uses mixed tanks for contacting resin with water. A very small amount of resin (5-10 mL settled...
Woodside Energy Ltd is recognised as a major Australian resource company committed to quality and protecting the environment. Woodside actively manages their exploration activities so as to avoid environmental impacts. As part of their Timor Sea exploration activities, they produce a significant quantity of waste that includes a hazardous and industrial non-toxic component. In recognition of the potential pollution problem that improperly managed waste can produce, Woodside operates under a comprehensive Ocean...
Introduction
Danfoss is a global manufacturer of hermetic compressors, pumps, valves, motors and other electrical control units. The company owns a major manufacturing facility located on a small island, Als, in the Baltic Sea. In 1983 the company was routinely withdrawing two million cubic meters of fresh water from the sole aquifer which supplies the entire island, home to 50,000 residents. This was well within the limit of three million cubic meters authorized by local officials.
In 1983, Danfoss discovered...
Abstract
Foundry production needs high quality of quartz sand. After production, most of the sand is recycled and used again, but there is still a certain quantity which cannot be used. This paper presents the results of the researches made with a view to utilization of waste sand from foundry production. It is possible to use such material in building materials production and building construction.
Introduction
The development of foundry production in the territory of Yugoslavia dates from the beginnings of...
Sometimes, an important technological advance begins with a small step – back! Such is the case with remediation of hydrocarbons from groundwater utilizing existing recovery and monitoring wells.
For the past few years, state government has based decisions on the amount of clean up that they require by the risk posed to the environment. Risk Based Corrective Action, commonly called `Rebecca` (RBCA), is a process that utilizes the principles of exposure assessment, toxicity and mobility to make corrective action...
When properly applied, ion exchange for concentrated ion recovery is by far the best available technology. Where effluent streams can be filtered and ions requiring different regenerants can be segregated, ion exchange is usually the most cost effective and least capital intensive solution. We provide 4 levels of integration to cover most applications and capital budgets. The variations in the system configuration trade your labor and attention for our automation. As you invest capital, the cost of operation,...
Consider the following recent examples of pollution prevention in chemical process plants:
An Adiponitrile plant in Orange, Texas installed an inexpensive solenoid valve on the line supplying process water to flush the seals of process pumps used in intermittent service. The solenoid, which is connected to the pump control system, shuts off flush water when the pumps are not running. As a result, the plant has reduced its waste water volume by 57 million gallons per year.
The same facility upgraded the...
Sobering Results in the First Environmental-Rating of the Oil and Gas Industry
The first Environmental-Rating of thirteen international oil and gas companies did not produce a clear environmental leader. All of the companies rated were found to be in the bottom third of the rating scale that ranges from A+ to D-. A group of four companies leads the ranking list with a C in the Environmental-Rating. These are the Australian company Woodside Petroleum, the two British companies BG (formerly British Gas) and...
Parr Paints solved its waste water problem by optimising cleaning processes and reusing the collected wash water in the next batch of product. The purchase cost ($800) of an off the shelf high pressure wash unit was more than offset by the $3000 pa savings in waste disposal and improved labour efficiency.
Background
Parr Paints Pty Ltd (Parr Paints) is a small family owned business that manufactures paints and textile coatings (latex adhesive). The company was started in 1971 and currently employs eight...
Introduction
Pollution Prevention Guidelines to provide technical advice and guidance to staff and consultants involved in pollution-related projects. The guidelines represent state-of-the-art thinking on how to reduce pollution emissions from the production process. In many cases, the guidelines provide numerical targets for reducing pollution, as well as maximum emissions levels that are normally achievable through a combination of cleaner production and end-of-pipe treatment. The guidelines are designed to...
Introduction
Pollution Prevention Guidelines to provide technical advice and guidance to staff and consultants involved in pollution-related projects. The guidelines represent state-of-the-art thinking on how to reduce pollution emissions from the production process. In many cases, the guidelines provide numerical targets for reducing pollution, as well as maximum emissions levels that are normally achievable through a combination of cleaner production and end-of-pipe treatment. The guidelines are designed to...
The Escambia County Utilities Authority (ECUA) of Pensacola, Fla., was experiencing odor emission problems at its 20 mgd Main Street Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is only two blocks from Pensacola city hall and the regional office of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
According to Stephen Holcomb, P.E., Water Reclamation Director at ECUA, an 85 foot diameter gravity thickener was the primary odor source.
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A treatment train is the combination of different treatment technologies. A system diagram of a common treatment train for nonhalogenated VOCs is illustrated below. A soil vapor extraction system is used to pull VOC vapor from the contaminated soil. An air sparging system delivers air below the water table to enhance bioremediation. After passing through a liquid/vapor separator, the VOC contaminated water and gas are pumped to a liquid phase granulated activated carbon (GAC) adsorption system. The GAC system...
Often, specific technologies may be ruled out, or the list of potential technologies may be immediately narrowed, on the basis of the presence or absence of one or more of the chemical groups. The relative amounts of each may tend to favor certain technologies. Metals may be found in the elemental form, but more often they are found as salts mixed in the soil. At the present time, treatment options for radioactive materials are limited to volume reduction/concentration and immobilization. Asbestos fibers require...
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