Use of cuttings tanks for recycling oil based mud and water

Abstract

A system for recycling a drilling fluid that includes a first cuttings storage vessel, a second cuttings storage vessel, and a module fluidly connected to the first and second cuttings storage vessels, the module having a valve configured to fluidly connect the first and second cuttings storage vessels. The module further includes a filter system configured to fluidly connect to at least the second cuttings storage vessel, and at least one pump to facilitate the flow of a fluid between the first and second cuttings storage vessels.

1 . A system for recycling a drilling fluid comprising:
 a first cuttings storage vessel;   a second cuttings storage vessel; and   a module fluidly connected to the first and second cuttings storage vessels, the module comprising:
 a valve configured to fluidly connect the first and second cuttings storage vessels; 
 a filter system configured to fluidly connect to at least the second cuttings storage vessel; and 
 at least one pump to facilitate the flow of a fluid between the first and second cuttings storage vessels. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is configured to automatically adjust the flow of the fluid between the first and second cuttings storage vessels. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve comprises a sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the sensor is one selected from a group consisting of a density sensor and a conductivity sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the filter system comprises a hydrocarbon filter. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the filter system comprises a filter press. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second pump to facilitate the flow of the fluid between the second cuttings storage vessel and a third storage vessel. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the second pump is configured to facilitate the flow of the fluid through the filter system. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a programmable logic controller operatively coupled to the module. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the programmable logic controller provides instructions to the valve for controlling the flow of fluid between the first and second cuttings storage vessels. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a chemical additive system comprising at least one chemical dosing tank. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the chemical dosing tank is configured to supply at least one of a separation chemical and a flocculant to one or more of the cuttings storage vessels. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the chemical additive system comprises:
 a first chemical dosing tank configured to provide a separation chemical to the first cuttings storage vessel; and   a second chemical dosing tank configured to provide a flocculant to the second cuttings storage vessel.   
     
     
         14 . A module for use at a drilling location comprising:
 a valve for directing drilling fluid between at least a first cuttings storage vessel disposed outside the module and a second cuttings storage vessel disposed outside the module;   a filter system for filtering the drilling fluid; and   at least one pump for facilitating the flow of the fluid between at least the first and second cuttings storage vessels.   
     
     
         15 . The module of  claim 14 , further comprising a programmable logic controller operatively coupled to the module. 
     
     
         16 . The module of  claim 15 , wherein the programmable logic controller provides instructions to the valve for controlling the flow of fluid between the first and second cuttings storage vessels. 
     
     
         17 . The module of  claim 14 , wherein the valve is configured to automatically adjust the flow of the fluid between the first and second cuttings storage vessels. 
     
     
         18 . The module of  claim 14 , wherein the valve comprises a sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The module of  claim 18 , wherein the sensor is one selected from a group consisting of a density sensor and a conductivity sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The module of  claim 14 , wherein the filter system comprises at least a filter selected from a group consisting of hydrocarbon filters and press filters. 
     
     
         21 . The module of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 an emulsion clearance agent addition device; and   a flocculant addition device.   
     
     
         22 . A method of operating a drilling fluid recycling system comprising:
 using a vessel for cuttings storage; and   operating the vessel in a drilling fluid recycling system, the operating comprising:
 connecting a module to the vessel, the module comprising:
 a valve for directing drilling fluid between at least a first cuttings storage vessel disposed outside the module and a second cuttings storage vessel disposed outside the module; 
 a filter system for filtering the drilling fluid; and 
 at least one pump for facilitating the flow of the fluid between at least the first and second cuttings storage vessels; and
 providing a flow of drilling fluid to the vessel. 
 
 
   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 using the vessel for cuttings transport.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 mixing an emulsion clearance agent with the drilling fluid in the vessel, wherein the emulsion clearance agent is a mixture of a non-ionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the vessel is adapted for pneumatic transfer of cuttings.