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Waste is inevitable in any activity of construction, but there is not necessarily an issue so much with waste as there is with how it is dealt with. Technology has been instrumental in helping avoid waste in the oil industry, and that technology is solids control.

Solids control is a technique used in oil drilling. It is typically located on a drilling rig and is used to separate the solids in the drilling mud. These solids are created by the crushing of the drill bits that are carried out of the well surface.

Essentially, solids control is the recycling of the drilling mud, and it saves costs regarding mud quantity and disposal. Although there are other forms of waste management in the oil industry, solids control is one of the best options to drilling waste management and helps to minimize the environmental impact of oil drilling.

Stages

Solid control systems contain multiple parts and stages.

Mud tank: Mixes and stores drilling mud

Shale shaker screen: Removes large solids

Hydrocyclones: Speeds up the settling process

Centrifugal screw pumps: Provides feed pressure and volume to operate the hydrocyclone

Desander: Removes medium-sized solids

Desilter: Removes small-sized solids

Vacuum degasser: Removes air from mud agitator

Conveying equipment system: Transports cuttings

Centrifuge: Recovers barite and complies with environmental standards

Mud cooler

Cuttings dryer: Removes moisture from cuttings

Dewatering: Removes fine solids

Containers: Holds cuttings for transport