Slurry injection has been used successfully in many locations around the world for disposing of drilling wastes. Although a few injection jobs have not worked well, the reasons for these problems are understood. Similar problems can be avoided by proper siting, design, and operation. When slurry injection is conducted at locations with suitable geological conditions and the injection process is properly managed and monitored, it is generally a safe and environmentally preferable disposal method. Because wastes are injected deep into the earth below drinking water zones, proper slurry injection operations should pose lower environmental and health risks than more conventional surface disposal methods. The costs for slurry injection can be competitive with or even more attractive than those for other disposal methods. Drilling waste management methods should be assessed for each site individually. Slurry injection will not be the favored management option for drilling wastes in all situations; however, in many locations, it compares favorably with other, more conventional management options.

Reprinted with Permission from Argonne National Laboratory