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DEMO2000-Prosj.ret tekn.utv. petro.virk

CleanCut - full-scale demonstration of a new approach to treatment of offshore drill cuttings and evaluation of its environmental aspects

Alternative title: CleanCut - fullskala demonstrasjon av en ny metode for behandling av oljebasert borekaks samt vurdering av miljørisiko

Awarded: NOK 3.0 mill.

Project Number:

313775

Application Type:

Project Period:

2020 - 2025

Partner countries:

Norwegian Technology (NT) will through a joint-industry-project with two oil operator companies finalize the development and demonstrate a novel and patented approach to offshore treatment of oil-contaminated drill cuttings. The technology will provide significant cost savings for oil operator companies on the NCS compared to reinjection or transport onshore for treatment. The technology will also provide high value for drilling operations in areas without ship-to-shore and treatment infrastructures, or in case of a lack of reinjection formations. NT's solution is based on a series of novel features, providing high processing capacity and high oil separation catering to regulatory demands. By incorporating a framework for environmental risk assessment procedures as part of the demonstration project, NT seeks to anchor the approach not only with operator companies for validation and market access, but also with regulators to enable a replicable and fast roll-out after the project period. Novel engineering solutions and new environmental insights go hand-in-hand in the project. Building on work in a closed out RFFVest project, the scope focuses heavily on full-scale testing onshore in line with the desires of the oil operator companies, filing for regulatory approvals, and preparing for offshore operations. The project is somewhat behind plan as per 11/2021 both with respect to costs and activities. However, we expect an intensive period and catch up going forward to complete all deliverables by 15.07.2022.

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Norwegian Technology will through a proposed joint-industry-project with ConocoPhillips and OMV finalize the development and demonstrate a novel and patented approach to offshore treatment of oil-contaminated drill cuttings. The technology will provide significant cost savings for oil operator companies on the NCS compared to reinjection or transport onshore for treatment. The technology will also provide high value for drilling operations in areas without ship-to-shore and treatment infrastructures, or in case of a lack of reinjection formations. NT's solution is based on compact, energy-efficient, low noise, lightweight and mobile equipment, providing high processing capacity and high oil separation catering to regulatory demands. Typically, the trade-off between mechanical/chemical treatment and thermal treatment is related to the former's relatively high treatment capacity, high mud recovery, small footprint, and low energy consumption - but also a low level of oil separation. The latter is capable of delivering high oil separation and oil recovery, but with a high energy consumption and cost, and large footprint. The TCC method is to date the only one to be authorized for offshore use on the NCS based on requirements for the residual content of oil on solids. By incorporating a framework for environmental risk assessment procedures as part of the demonstration project, NT seeks to anchor the approach not only with operator companies for validation and market access, but also with regulators to enable a replicable and fast roll-out after the project period. Novel engineering solutions and new environmental insights go hand-in-hand in the project. Building on work in a closed out RFFVest project, the scope of work focuses heavily on full-scale testing onshore in line with the desires of the oil operator companies, filing for regulatory approvals, and preparing for offshore operations.

Funding scheme:

DEMO2000-Prosj.ret tekn.utv. petro.virk