Novel Assessment of Drill Cuttings in Ionic Liquid

The drill cuttings management process has consistently been reviewed to identify safer treatment methods that reduce environmental impact while improving recovery of residual chemicals to enable the reuse of the oil-free cuttings. Recycling and disposal are key waste management options that are of concern to the oil and gas industry. As significant quantities of drill cuttings are produced during drilling operations, there is an increased need for drill cuttings management solutions. This study investigates the novel use of ionic liquids to separate drilling fluid from cuttings. The findings from the laboratory research showed that the drilling fluid on the cuttings can be separated from the cuttings with the recovery of the extraction solvent for reuse in the recovery process. This approach emphasises the potential of ionic liquids in an integrated waste management approach to enhance material recovery.