Development of a Method for Minimizing the Negative Environmental Impact of Drill Cuttings by Using It as a Mineral Powder in Asphalt Concrete

The article describes the problem of environmental pollution from the placement of drill cuttings in it. The main sources of contamination are oil products included in the drill cuttings, chemicals added to the drilling fluid, and heavy metals. In order to reduce the negative impact, it was proposed to use the resource potential of drill cuttings as a mineral powder in the technology for producing asphalt concrete. Samples of drill cuttings were taken in the fields of Western Siberia. It has been established that there are no excesses in the standards for the content of heavy metals in mobile form in samples of drill cuttings. The analysis of physical and chemical characteristics showed that there are high values of COD, oil content, dry residue, rigidity, magnesium and calcium ions, chlorides. Laboratory studies have shown the possibility of using drill cuttings as a mineral powder in asphalt concrete. The optimum composition of the asphalt mixture was obtained. The obtained physical and mechanical properties of asphalt concrete samples comply with the requirements of regulatory documents. It is established that the strength characteristics depend on the percentage of drill cuttings in asphalt concrete: with an increase in the share of drill cuttings, the value of the tensile strength decreases, and at the same time there is a discrepancy with regulatory requirements.