Characterization of Drill Cuttings and Their Impacts on Agricultural Soil and Water Quality

ABSTRACT The exploration and extraction of oil and gas resources generate substantial amounts of drill cuttings, which are often disposed of in agricultural areas. This study aims to characterize the composition and properties of drill cuttings and assess their potential impacts on soil and water qualities as well as its impact on water leaf. Through comprehensive laboratory analyses, chemical analysis, the physical and chemical characteristics of drill cuttings was elucidated. This provided insights into their mineral composition, and presence of potentially harmful substances such as heavy metals and hydrocarbons.Field experiments was conducted to investigate the effects of incorporating drill cuttings into soil, and its consequence effect on plant growth and water. From the result obtained from the soil analysis, T = 30.3oC; pH = 5.68; EC = 5.1μS/cm; Phosphorus = 5.4 6mg/kg; TOC = 2.14mg/kg; K = 16.80mg/kg±0.0001 and Mn = 1.380pmg/kg. Similarly on the water sample analysis, it was observed that T = 29.3oC; pH = 2.72; TDS = 90.1ppm; TSS = 235.2mg/L; EC = 1.1μs/cm; Total Hardness = 93.6ppm; DO = 7.5ppm; BOD = 341mg/L,; COD = 740.2ppm; Nitrite = 1.94ppm; Fe = 5.462ppm; Mn =0.039ppm and Mg = 0.712ppm. From the results obtained, it was discovered that the plant growth had positive effect on the soil and was able by remediating the soil from the effect of the drill cuttings metals which once polluted the soil. The findings of this research will contribute to a better understanding of the environmental implications associated with the disposal of drill cuttings in agricultural settings.