Cuttings Tank

Cuttings boxes are primarily used during offshore drilling operations to transport waste drilling fluid and cuttings to shore. Due to the limited crane loads on early drilling rigs, cuttings boxes were a simple method for collecting and transporting the waste. These boxes were typically placed near solids control equipment, allowing for shorter travel times and easier loading. When a box was full, it was removed and replaced with an empty one.

When the required number of containers is reached, they are transported back to the coast by a workboat. The workboat returns to the dock and takes back the empty containers.

Cuttings boxes generally come in two sizes: 25bbl and 15bbl. A 25bbl box weighs up to 15 tons when fully filled, especially when using high-density drilling fluid. A 15bbl box is designed for use when a crane cannot lift a larger box. When fully filled, a 15bbl box weighs 7-10 tonnes. Empty cuttings boxes can be stacked two on top of each other, but not when fully loaded. For larger operations, three or more boxes per set of 25-30 boxes are required. The drilling site must be able to accommodate all the cuttings boxes.

Technical parameters of drill cuttings box: