Abandonment of Seabed Deposition of Drill Cuttings During Offshore Drilling

A new concept, which combines existing fieldproven technology with new innovative features, has been evaluated as an attractive technique for collection and retrieval of top-hole drill cuttings, excavated during offshore drilling. Simplified, the presented technique is based on using a collar that is thread on the drill string prior to the spudding in commences. The collar is fitted with a connecting hose and a pump that help suck the fluid and the excavated drill cuttings into settling and filtration bags. After collection of solids the bags are easily displaced. By its simplicity and efficiency the technology appears as an attractive solution for drilling wells in sensitive areas where a zero discharge regime of drill cuttings prevail.