| BMP ID: |
5169 |
| Title: |
Use of a closed-loop drilling system |
| Text: |
"Closed-loop or "Pitless" Drilling Systems: In a closed-loop drilling fluid system, the reserve pit is replaced with a series of storage tanks that separate liquids and solids. Equipment to separate out solids (e.g., screen shakers, hydrocyclones, centrifuges) and collection equipment (e.g., vacuum trucks, shale barges) minimize the amount of drilling waste muds and cuttings that require disposal, and maximize the amount of drilling fluids recycled and reused in the drilling process. The wastes are typically transferred off-site for disposal at injection wells or oilfield waste disposal facilities". [See source document for a list of benefits to pitless drilling.] |
| Source Publication Name: |
Oil and Gas Accountability Project, Best Practices |
| Citation Section: |
Alternatives to Pits |
| Citation Page: |
2 |
| Supplemental Documents: |
See the Source Document for links to supplemental information
|
| Usage Type: |
Recommended |
| Timing: |
• Drilling
|
| Oil / Gas Field: |
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| Surface Ownership: |
• Federal
• State
• Private
|
| Mineral Ownership: |
• Federal
• State
• Private
|
| Primary Contact: |
Earthworks
1612 K. St., NW, Suite 808
Washington, DC 20006 United States |
|
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| Alternate Contact: |
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| |
| Categories: |
Land Surface Disturbance
|
| Location: |
General / Federal |
| Species: |
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| Vegetation Types: |
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| General Comments: |
|
| Cost-Benefit Analysis: |
The tanks represent an additional cost, but overall, pitless drilling can save an
operator money because there is no need to construct a pit, there is a reduction in the
amount of environmental releases, and the closed-loop system results in more efficient
use of drilling fluid.
This web page source includes five case studies comparing the costs and benefits of closed-loop systems to those of pits. |
| BMP Efficacy: |
"US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that "closed loop systems" can reduce the volume of drilling fluids by as much as 90%" (web page at footnote 4) |
| Date Entered: |
2009-04-29 16:09 UTC |
| Last Updated: |
2011-07-17 13:30 UTC |
