Recovering Valuable Byproducts from Oil and Gas Wastes
Prepared for IWC 2013 by Russell Huffmyer prior to joining McKim & Creed in 2015, and John Van Gehuchten, HDR Engineering, Inc. Copyright IWC 2013
An oft-neglected component of wastes generated during drilling and completion of oil and gas wells in shale plays are the drilling fluids, drilling wastes, and assorted liquids that are captured and require disposition. These streams contain substantial amounts of suspended solids and contamination from the formation being accessed, as well as potential valuable recoverable components such as crude oil and other valuable hydrocarbons. Treatment is required for these streams prior to either reuse or deep well disposal. In addition, significant revenue can be generated by recovering the valuable byproducts.