Method for absorbing fluids from drill cuttings

Abstract

A method of treating drill cuttings at a well drilling site. The method includes separating the drill cuttings from a drilling fluid at the well drilling site; contacting the separated drill cuttings with an effective amount of an absorbent material to absorb free oil from the drill cuttings into the absorbent material; and disposing of the drill cuttings. The absorbent material may include a thermo-set phenolic resin with an open cell matrix and a heat-treated peat moss.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating drill cuttings at a well drilling site, comprising:
 separating the drill cuttings from a drilling fluid at the well drilling site;   contacting the separated drill cuttings with an effective amount of an absorbent material comprising a thermo-set phenolic resin with an open cell matrix to absorb free oil from the drill cuttings into the absorbent material; and   disposing of the drill cuttings.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material is in the form of granules, prilled granules, or powders. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising conveying the drilling cuttings to a drill cuttings holder prior to contacting the drilling cuttings with the effective amount of the absorbent material. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of contacting the drill cuttings with the absorbent material includes the step of mixing the absorbent material with the drill cuttings. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material further includes an amount of heat-treated peat moss. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the heat-treated peat moss is hydrophobic. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the heat-treated peat moss includes bioremediation bacteria. 
     
     
         8 . A method of treating drill cuttings at a well drilling site, comprising:
 separating the drill cuttings from a drilling fluid at the well drilling site;   contacting the separated drill cuttings with an effective amount of an absorbent material comprising a heat-treated peat moss to absorb free oil from the drill cuttings into the absorbent material; and   disposing of the drill cuttings.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising conveying the drilling cuttings to a drill cuttings holder prior to contacting the drilling cuttings with the effective amount of the absorbent material. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of contacting the drill cuttings with the absorbent material includes the step of mixing the absorbent material with the drill cuttings. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the heat-treated peat moss is hydrophobic. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the heat-treated peat moss includes bioremediation bacteria.