Optimizing drilling fluid performance to minimize drilling waste and project emissions: A life cycle approach

Drilling waste management plays a crucial role in reducing the environmental footprint of oil and gas operations. Inefficient waste management increases emissions, operational costs, and environmental risks. This study investigates the impact of drilling fluid performance optimization on waste generation and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using a life cycle analysis (LCA) approach. By improving fluid selection, maintenance, and reuse strategies, operators can minimize waste disposal volumes and lower emissions at different stages of drilling. The results indicate that optimizing drilling fluid performance reduces total waste by up to 30%, leading to a proportional decrease in emissions from transportation, treatment, and disposal. Additionally, improved fluid management enhances drilling efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and indirect emissions. The findings support integrating LCA into drilling fluid design and operational planning to achieve sustainability goals while maintaining cost-effective drilling performance.