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114 SHALE SHAKERS AND DRILLING FLUID SYSTEMS
recovered liquid is returned to the active system. removal system, which typically consists of a
Large quantities of colloidal solids may be recovered shale shaker and mud cleaner mounted over
with the liquid and this could affect plastic viscos- a small tank.
ity, yield point, and gel strengths of a drilling fluid.
River crossing—This technique facilitates run-
ning a pipeline under a river. First, a small-
diameter hole is directionally drilled under
the riverbed. The pipe for the pipeline is then
NON-OILFIELD DRILLING USES
attached to the end of the drill string and
OF SHALE SHAKERS pulled back under the river while a larger
hole is back-reamed to accomodate the pipe.
Trenchless drilling is one of the fastest grow- When laying large-diameter pipelines, a
ing areas for shale shaker use other than drilling substantial solids control system must be
oil and gas wells. Trenchless drilling encompasses established with multiple shakers, desanders,
several areas of use: desilters, and centrifuges. Additionally, the
use of mud cleaners will reduce drilling fluid
• Micro-tunneling—Micro-tunneling has become disposal volumes.
very popular in Europe and is being used Road crass7/7g—Pipelines or cables often need
more frequently in the United States. Micro to be placed beneath roads. Drilling beneath
tunneling is the horizontal boring of a large- a road does not require disrupting traffic or
diameter hole (from 27 inches up to 10 feet) destroying the road surface. Frequently, the
while simultaneously laying pipe. Typically, hole volume is small enough that solids re-
this technique is used in cities when laying moval equipment is not necessary. Should
or replacing water and sewer pipe beneath drilling fluid accumulation cause a problem,
buildings and heavily traveled roads. or in the case of large-diameter holes and wide
To prepare for these operations, large-
diameter, vertical holes, or "caissons," are ex- roadbeds, a shaker or mud cleaner is used.
cavated allowing the drilling equipment and Fiber-optic cables—Fiber-optic cables are of-
hydraulic rams to be set up at the desired ten required in residential or business areas
depth. The caisson is excavated slightly below where drilling fluid and drilled solids must be
the equipment level creating a sump for the contained. Since these cables do not require
returned drilling fluid and associated drilled large-diameter holes, solids control systems
solids. The returns are pumped to the surface usually consist of only a small tank, pump
by a submersible pump to a compact solids package, and a small shaker.
