Oil and gas well drilling waste disposal in the Russian Arctic Zone: Review

The oil and gas industry is a key economic sector in Russia. Considerable oil reserves of the country occur in its Arctic Zone. Within the internationally defined borders of the Russian Arctic Zone and Arctic Shelf, 282 oil fields are discovered, including 26 oil fields on the shelf and in the coastal transition zone. Major proven reserves occur in the Yamalo-Nenets and Nenets Autonomous Areas within the Arctic Zone of Russia. Well drilling produces much drilling mud, drill fluID and drilling wastewater. Drilling mud represents the bulk of the industry waste which pollutes the environment. The ecological safety of the Russian Arctic is a top-priority problem. As a result of drilling mud impact, the natural environment and underground water alter greatly. This article analyzes methods and means of drilling waste treatment and conversion to different materials. The scope of the analysis encompasses thermal treatment, bioconversion, the use of drilling mud as a natural fine aggregate to replace limestone and clay in the cement industry, as well as manufacturing of constructional materials and propping agents. It seems to be apromising trend to create mobile facilities in the Russian Arctic for the in-situ production of constructional materials from drilling waste.The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation under the state contract within the topic “Technology Fundamentals of Recycling of Oil Industry Waste in the Arctic Zone of Russia with Production of Effective Constructional Materials and Propping Agents, FENN-2025-0001, Head—E. A. Yatsenko.