The use of earthen or lined pits is integral to drilling waste management. During most China drilling operations, the drilling cuttings separated by the shale shaker are sent to a pit called the reserve pit located near the drill rig. The pit is generally open to the atmosphere, so it also accumulates stormwater and washwater from the rig. The strategic location of small pits near drilling sites can also help minimize spillage of drilling waste. Unless site characteristics are such that no significant threat to water resources can occur, liners are generally required. Where pits must be constructed adjacent to water bodies or on sloping terrain, engineering precautions incorporated into the design will help to ensure pit integrity. Precautions should be taken to prevent disposal of chemicals, refuse, debris, or other materials not intended for pit disposal. At the end of the drilling job, any hydrocarbon products floating on top of the pits are recovered and any free wat
Burial is the most common onshore disposal technique used for disposing of drilling wastes (mud and cuttings). Generally, the solids are buried in the same pit (the reserve pit) used for collection and temporary storage of the drilling wastes mud and cuttings after the liquid is allowed to evaporate. Pit burial is a low-cost, low-tech method that does not require drilling wastes to be transported away from the well site, and, therefore, is very attractive to many operators. Burial is the placement of waste in man-made or natural excavations, such as pits or landfills. Burial may be the most misunderstood or misapplied disposal technique. Simply pushing the walls of the reserve pit over the drilling cuttings is generally not acceptable. The depth or placement of the burial cell is important. A moisture content limit should be established on the buried drilling cuttings, and the chemical composition should be determined. Onsite pit burial may not be a good choice for drillin