The operator faced significant challenges in their drilling operations due to the scarcity of fresh water and the environmental impact of waste disposal. Conventional methods consumed large volumes of fresh water and generated considerable amounts of solid and liquid waste, leading to higher emissions from logistics and waste disposal, and increased costs. The primary objective was to find a sustainable solution that would minimize water usage, reduce waste, and lower emissions while maintaining operational efficiency. The CMRS system was deployed to address these challenges.
The CMRS system incorporates dual drying shakers, a compact vertical dryer (CVG) with a high-speed centrifuge, augers for cuttings transportation, automatic tank cleaning (ATC), and filtration processes. These technologies work together to enhance water conservation, reduce the volume of drilling fluids used, and minimize waste and emissions. The CMRS system allowed for the recovery and reuse of water and drilling fluids from drill cuttings, significantly reducing the environmental impact associated with haul-off and disposal of drilling waste.
Over two years, a number of CMRS systems were successfully deployed to support in excess of 500 wells, saving 4 million barrels of water and recovering more than 450,000 barrels of drilling fluids. The optimized logistics and reduced waste transportation resulted in an estimated reduction of 89,000 metric tons of CO2e emissions. The project’s impact on water conservation and reuse is particularly noteworthy, with an estimated savings of over 7,300 barrels per well by eliminating unnecessary wastage. Additionally, the recovery of 850 barrels of drilling fluid per well represents a substantial reduction in the consumption of new resources and minimizes the environmental footprint of drilling activities. The avoided emissions per well are estimated to be around 160 metric tons CO2e.
