Hexane extractable material in water-based and oil-based drilling fluid wastes collected from sites in Oklahoma, North Dakota, and Wyoming in 2021

Wells drilled during oil and gas exploration use drilling fluids to cool and lubricate the drilling bit and clear the borehole of cuttings. These fluids are recycled during the drilling process, but eventually can no longer be used. This is an important waste stream from petroleum generation that requires disposal. Chemical characterization of these materials is important to determine if these wastes have value or pose a risk if improperly handled. This study collected 13 samples of water-based and oil-based drilling fluid waste for hexane extractable material (also referred to as oil and grease) analysis.