Drilling Waste Management

We are involved in the treatment and disposal of oil based mud (OBM) and water based mud (WBM) drill cuttings with specialized and modernized equipment. Oil Based Mud Cuttings Treatment Process Specification. Technical Description. Oil-based mud (OBM) cuttings are delivered to Frigate's waste treatment facility in skips. A skip is a hazardous waste container with an average material retention capacity of 3 (three) tons. OBM cuttings may also be recovered from dewatered sludge. Prior to any intervention, OBM cuttings earmarked for treatment are first analysed internally in the laboratory, and also through an accredited third-party, to establish its initial water-to-oil ratio. The enquiry, described as retort test, investigates amongst others, the amount of water and oil content in the cuttings. In a complete treatment cycle, mud cuttings are initially processed for preliminary pre-treatment and thereafter thermally desorbed with the Low Temperature Thermal Desorption Unit, LTTDU.

Low Temperature Thermal Desorption Units (LTTDUs)

Presently, Frigate Upstream & Energy Services has two modern Low Temperature Thermal Desorption Units (LTTDUs) with 10 to 15tons/hr and 2 to 3tons/hrs processing capacities. In an eight-hour shift, an aggregate of not less than 18 skips of Oil Based Mud cuttings can be processed with the LTTDUs. The LTTDU has the following features:

It can treat cuttings to oil content of 0.5% and below (lower than DPR limit of 1%).

The base oil is recovered by treating the cuttings at a maximum of 340oc. This ensures that the base oil is not exposed to high temperatures that can distort the chemical and physical properties of this re-useable oil.

It is easy to operate and maintain with minimum shut down for maintenance. technicians can recommend and implement appropriate, cost-effective solutions to all water quality issues.

The waste water is transported through tankers and vacuum trucks from the client's facility to our treatment

Vessel/Boat tank cleaning

Frigate Upstream & Energy Services makes use of a highly specialized blabo automatic machine to blast the internal walls of a vessel with special chemicals for the prevention of rust and leakages. Given such a wide range of products in storage, ranging from chemicals to crude oil, it is not surprising that tank cleaning is regarded as a hazardous occupation. However, with our modernized equipment in use and the presence of our highly trained personnel with the right resources and supervision, the challenges are safely overcome. Safety remains the highest priority in our activities; it is not difficult to appreciate that in tank cleaning, where entry into confined spaces is a necessary part of the work. Selecting the most appropriate equipment and resources is paramount to us in this regard.

Waste water treatment

Frigate has been developing practical approaches to waste water treatment system designs for many years, having designed, manufactured and installed thousands of treatment units for clients throughout the Oil & Gas sector. Our ability to perform key processes in-house, combined with extensive experience in construction and start-up of waste water treatment facilities, provides a high degree of control over project cost, quality and schedule. With our range of experience in all areas of waste water treatment, Frigate's engineers, fabricators, and field service technicians can recommend and implement appropriate, cost-effective solutions to all water quality issues. The waste water is transported through tankers and vacuum trucks from the client's facility to our treatment yard and treated in our modern waste water treatment plant (dissolved air floatation unit).