Characterization of drilling waste from shale gas industry and their use in soil amendment production technology

Drilling operations produce two major wastes which are drilling fluids and drill cuttings. The drilling waste shall be properly managed to ensure no impact on the environment and human health. Use of drilling waste, generated from shale gas industry, for land reclamation has the potential to be a practical and economical means to improve soil fertility and to decrease landfills. The aim of the study was to obtain soil amendment using drilling waste and other waste materials as the main components. According to research, it is possible to obtain soil amendment using waste materials such as drilling fluids, cuttings, sewage sludge, biomass ash and spent hops. We also propose technology production of such soil amendment.