The fate of waste drilling fluids from oil & gas industry activities in the exploration and production operations

Operational discharges from oil and gas exploration industry, accidental spillage, or improperly disposed drilling wastes has serious detrimental effects on human and the environment. The water- and oil-based fluids wastes are generated every year all over the world and remain a serious challenge in compliance with the requirements of zero discharge for the oil and gas industry. To meet environmental regulations, sustainable and effective waste management is critical yet mostly missing in the oil and gas industry. This work aims to provide the current state of art in drilling waste (drill cuttings and drilling fluids). An overview of the drilling fluid waste is first provided followed by its characteristics, environmental concerned constituents in this waste stream are then explored while considering the current waste management efforts. Environmental and regulatory issues regarding drilling waste and the shortcomings of regulations are also discussed. The work sums up with a perspective future trends on drilling waste management, opportunities and challenges ahead including the potential for recycling and re-use of waste drilling fluids and cuttings for commercial products development. There are opportunities for waste valorisation especially in raw materials recovery for valuable products utilisation rather than incurring burden to the environment.