US2012181085A1PendingUtilityA1

Method for cleaning drill cuttings

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Assignee: QUINTERO LIRIOPriority: Jan 14, 2011Filed: Jan 9, 2012Published: Jul 19, 2012
Est. expiryJan 14, 2031(~4.5 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Lirio QuinteroAnuradee WitthayapanyanonJonathan J. BregeDavid E. Clark
E21B 21/066
34
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Claims

Abstract

One method for treating cuttings from a subsurface formation may include treating the cuttings with at least one surfactant and at least one stabilizing agent. The method may include contacting the cuttings with the stabilizing agent(s) before contacting the cuttings with the surfactant(s). Another method for treating drill cuttings includes returning the drill cuttings to a substantially water-wet condition by using at least one stabilizing agent to remove at least a portion of a hydrocarbon from the drill cuttings.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A method for treating cuttings from a subsurface formation, comprising:
 treating the cuttings with at least one surfactant and at least one stabilizing agent.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising contacting the cuttings with the at least one stabilizing agent before contacting the cuttings with the at least one surfactant. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising applying the at least one surfactant after the at least one stabilizing agent is substantially homogenized with the cuttings. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one stabilizing agent substantially prevents interaction between water and a swellable component of the cuttings. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one stabilizing agent is selected to interact with the fluid by one of: (i) reducing a viscosity of a contaminant oil, and (ii) reducing a hydrophobicity of the contaminant. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the water is added with the at least one surfactant. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one stabilizing agent is selected from a group consisting of: (i) an alcohol, (ii) a solvent, (iii) a mutual solvent, and (iv) a glycol. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one stabilizing agent is n-butanol. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one surfactant is selected from a group consisting of: (i) non-ionic, (ii) anionic, (iii) cationic and (iv) amphoteric and (V) zwitterionic surfactants. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising mechanically removing at least a portion of the hydrocarbons from the cuttings after treating the cuttings. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further treating the drill cuttings with a water softening agent. 
     
     
         12 . A treatment method for treating drill cuttings recovered from a subsurface formation, comprising:
 returning the drill cuttings to a substantially water-wet condition by using at least one stabilizing agent to remove at least a portion of a hydrocarbon from the drill cuttings.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising contacting the cuttings with at least one surfactant. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one surfactant is selected from a group consisting of: (i) non-ionic, (ii) anionic, (iii) cationic (iv) amphoteric, and (V) zwitterionic surfactants. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising applying the at least one surfactant after the at least one stabilizing agent is substantially homogenized with the cuttings. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one stabilizing agent inhibits a reaction between at least one material in the drill cuttings and water. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the water is added with the at least one surfactant. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one stabilizing agent is selected from a group consisting of: (i) an alcohol, (ii) a solvent, (iii) a mutual solvent, and (iv) a glycol. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising mechanically removing at least a portion of the hydrocarbons from the cuttings after treating the cuttings. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further treating the drill cuttings with a water softening agent.

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