Grant: Alliance Grants

The proposed research project aims to develop an effective method for recovering valuable base oil and synthetic hydrocarbons from waste spent drilling fluids, particularly those with ultra-fine solids (UFS) like oil-based mud and synthetic-based mud. The project anticipates a circular economy for drilling fluid, where recovered oil or synthetic fluid can be reused in new drilling fluid, significantly reducing production costs and waste disposal expenses. The innovative thermochemical hydrothermal process focuses on thermal degradation of surfactants to enhance the separation of UFS and recovery of base oil/synthetic. This innovation could revolutionize the drilling industry, providing cost-effective, sustainable solutions and reducing energy consumption compared to existing methods like thermal desorption. The Enoverra Energy & Environment team, with expertise in engineering and environmental sciences, plans to engineer mobile and fixed facilities for managing spent drilling fluids, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient drilling process with considerable economic and environmental benefits.