Combinations of bentonite drilling fluids and a variety of additives are widely used here in North America and around the world. As bentonite drilling mud manufacturers, we spend a considerable amount of time each year conducting classes both in classrooms and at drill sites with contractors in order to educate them on proper use of drilling mud and additives. Issues generally discussed often include: preparing make-up water for the best yield of drilling products, knowing soil conditions, and matching these conditions with the proper drilling mud and additives. Classes also include the various types of bentonite drilling fluids and the various polymers and additives available, along with the proper application of each. In water-based drilling fluids, many of products used are NSF-certified and are environmentally safe.
In recent years a new issue has been increasingly cropping up: How and where can these drilling products be safely disposed of after the drilling project is complete? We are seeing federal, state, and local regulations becoming much more numerous and stringent each year, especially in populated areas. Over the years, drilling mud spoils have been left at the drill site to solidify on their own. Sometimes drill cuttings, soil, sawdust, concrete or lime have been added to speed up this process. Use of these products does not always prevent leaching of drill spoils into surrounding soils. With the coming of tougher regulations, these practices are not as acceptable as they once were.