M-I SWACO - Automatic Tank Cleaning (ATC) and Automated Drill Cuttings Collection and Transportation

M-I SWACO is a solution provider within drilling, well-bore productivity, production technologies and environmental process and services. Automatic Tank Cleaning (ATC) and automated drill cuttings collection and transportation (CleanCut) are just two new technologies with field proven successes.

M-I SWACO in an innovative engineering company with 12,000 employees in more than 70 countries. The core business is derived from a unique competency in the application of oilfield chemicals and environmental solutions within drilling, completion and production.

AUTOMATIC TANK CLEANING (ATC)

Automatic Tank Cleaning (ATC) minimizes cleaning time and substantially reduces, and in some cases completely eliminates confined-space entry

The M-I SWACO Automatic Tank Cleaning (ATC) system is designed to reduce time, manpower and minimize and perhaps eliminate confined-space entry in the cleaning of mud tanks onboard mobile drilling rigs, platforms and supply vessels. The unique system:

• Improves safety
• Reduces risk
• Significantly reduces waste generation and
• Minimizes down-time during the cleaning operation

TANK CLEANING MACHINES (TCM)

Relative to the tank configuration, Tank Cleaning Machines (TCMs) are optimally positioned inside the tank, based on an analysis of their cleaning pattern. The TCMs are then connected to a portable skid containing the TCM feed pumps. As a mixture of surfactant and water is pumped into the tank, a powerful water-jet cleans every surface inside the tank following its designated cleaning pattern.

Rig tank pumps or a portable slop pump remove the wash water and tank residuals to a wash Water Recycling Unit (WRU), where the liquid phase is separated from the solids. The liquid phase is then directed back to the TCM to be reused as cleaning fluid until it is highly contaminated by the fine solids. At the end of the operation, the containers of solid waste, predominantly barite, are safely removed from the installation or reused to build new mud volume.

CLEANCUT AUTOMATED DRILL CUTTINGS COLLECTION AND TRANSPORTATION

CleanCut provides safe means of collecting and transporting offshore wastes. The patented CleanCut automated drill cuttings collection and transportation system from M-I SWACO offers a safer and more environmentally acceptable method of collecting, storing and transporting drilling wastes, and The entire connection process typically takes two only a few minutes.

The totally enclosed CleanCut pneumatic system is used to collect and transport drill cuttings from offshore rigs and platforms to onshore treatment and disposal facilities or central re-injection sites. In recognition of its virtual elimination of thousands of risky crane lifts per year, the US National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) in 2006 awarded CleanCut its prestigious 'Safety in Seas Award.'

Prior to the development of the CleanCut technology, the only method for containing and shipping drill-cuttings was the typical 'skip and ship' approach using simple box containers, similar in design to a typical dumpster fitted with a lid.

More than 2 million feet of hole has been handled by the system, which is over 600,000 barrels of drill cuttings passed through the CleanCut system to date. The system’s seven year record shows over 50,000 operational hours, with total recorded equipment service availability or uptime of 99.7%. From the first CCB operational on the Transocean Leader in January 2000, the equipment fleet has grown significantly and is operative today in over 15 countries and on 45 installations globally.

BULK PNEUMATIC TRANSFER TECHNOLOGY

CleanCut uses bulk pneumatic transfer technology to eliminate the need to handle cuttings boxes offshore. The cuttings are contained in a sealed system from the point of leaving the shaker ditch, and conveyed by compressed air through a dedicated system of pipes and hoses. The material is first contained in temporary bulk storage silos on the drilling rig then, when convenient, conveyed pneumatically to reception containers on a supply boat.

A safe hose landing device is installed on the side or rear of the supply-boat. The entire connection process typically takes two minutes from commencing to lower the hose. Then the cuttings are transported to shore for discharge either pneumatically or by gravity, if not re-injected.