There are four main groups or categories of disposal locations. These will be detailed in a subsequent post.

• Landfill disposal
• Overboard discharge
• Slurry fracture injection (SFI)
• Unique methods

Environmental regulations concerning specific contaminants is primary factor in disposal route

• Oil/hydrocarbons: <1 wt.% oil-on-dry-solids for overboard discharge, but hydrocarbon level is often not critical for most landfill or SFI
• Heavy metals: specific requirements for overboard discharge and landfill but not a factor in SFI
• NORM: specific requirements for overboard discharge and landfill but not a factor in SFI

Determine environmental regulations for disposal as first step in design of solids handling system

References:

1. Rawlins, C.H. and Wang, I. 2001. “Design and Installation of a Sand-Separation and -Handling System for a Gulf of Mexico Oil Production Facility”. SPE Production and Facilities, August, pp. 134-140. https://doi.org/10.2118/72999-PA
2. Rawlins, C.H. 2019. “Enhanced Production Through Surface Facilities Sand Management.” SPE Distinguished Lecturer presentation. Link here
3. Rawlins, C.H. “What to do with Produced Solids after Separation: Dewatering, Transport, and Disposal.”. White Paper Publication, eProcess Technologies. Link here

Next week I will show examples of solids disposal methods.