Many technologies are now available to reduce hydrocarbon concentrations in drill cuttings. Some of these techniques include thermal desorption, solvent extraction, and bioremediation. For a successful outcome, the operations must include specific field monitoring techniques to sample, test, control, and understand the biological/chemical interactions taking place. Due to the remote nature of drilling operations, it is important to be able to determine progress in an operational time frame.

This paper evaluates the practical application of two field techniques of hydrocarbon measurement to evaluate a composting technology. The information will be useful in the continual development of field techniques. Understand the analytical instrument and sample preparation allows for precise TPH readings to be conducted in the field as samples are collected in a real-time basis rather than potentially waiting for a third-party lab. This can give a project management team an understanding of the progress from day to day and allow for decisions to be made quickly.

Primary Author / Conference Presenter:
Patrick Tyczynski
M-I SWACO, a Schlumberger Company
Houston, Texas, USA

Co-Author:
John CAndler, M-I SWACO, a Schlumberger Company, Houston, Texas USA