Use of Drilling Muds for Remediation

Drilling wells is an ecologically dangerous type of work accompanied by contamination of soil, subsurface and surface waters, pollution of open air with drilling and technological wastes. Throughout the drilling process, drilling waste is generated, such as drilling muds, return drilling muds, drilling waste water. The resulting waste is usually disposed of at landfills, which ensure minimal environmental impact. The use of drilling muds in other spheres is hindered by the complex composition of oily waste. Samples of liquids and solids in drilling wastes, picked at three locations, were subjects for analysis. The waste sample was analyzed for moisture content, organic substances, oil products, silicon, iron and other substances. Based on the studies performed, the authors propose additional introduction of substances possessing high sorption capacity into drilling mud to improve its properties. The most effective way should be using a sorbent capable of retaining organic and heavy metals. The resultant homogeneous soil-like mixture possesses the necessary and sufficient properties to be used as a mineral base for remediation after performing construction work in urban areas