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Drilling mud & spent drilling fluids

The professional treatment of drilling fluids is essential to guarantee the perfect drilling process while simultaneously adhering to the mandatory environmental protection requirements. GEA supports this process by using high-performance centrifuges in which a robust, flexible and user-friendly design is of the utmost importance.

Drilling mud

Benefits of our centrifuges
  • High capacity and efficiency
  • Barite recovery possible
  • Wide differential speed range
  • Efficient solids control
  • Low torque readings for increased throughput capacity
  • High reliability and availability
  • Heavy duty wear protection
  • Erosion and corrosion resistance
  • Small footprint
  • Environmental compliance  
No drilling without liquid 

Drilling mud, also known as drilling fluid, is a mixture used in drilling operations to lubricate the drill head, stabilize the borehole and transport the drill cuttings to the surface. Spent drilling fluids are the used fluids that have been contaminated with drill cuttings and other impurities during the process. 

Efficient barite recovery 

Continuous treatment of drilling fluids with GEA centrifuges ensures smooth process sequences. Our centrifuges reliably separate unwanted solid materials, preventing any contamination of ground and sea water. This allows the drilling fluids to be reused on a permanent basis. Additionally, centrifuges can recover the relatively expensive heavy mineral, barite, which is added to increase the weight and density of the drilling fluids. Our centrifuges are highly flexible, capable of both purifying the drilling mud and recovering barite. 

Minimizing environmental risks 

Improper disposal of spent drilling fluids can lead to soil and water contamination, posing significant environmental risks. Effective treatment and recycling of these fluids are crucial to minimize their ecological footprint and ensure sustainable drilling practices. 

Robust and reliable centrifuges 

The design of our centrifuges prioritizes robustness to withstand the high pressure exerted by drilling fluids and barite. To achieve this, our centrifuge drives are engineered for maximum torque and high differential speeds right from the start, all while maintaining a high throughput rate. Operating at low speeds, our centrifuges minimize wear and tear. Every component in contact with the product is made from materials that are highly resistant to erosion and corrosion. Thanks to our heavy-duty wear protection, our machines remain reliable and robust under extreme conditions.  

Our decanter centrifuges are designed to handle fluctuating feed conditions with ease, thanks to a wide differential speed range that can be continuously adjusted. The innovative GEA summationdrive® ensures that only the necessary power is supplied, making the drive exceptionally energy efficient. Coupled with an intuitive operating system, our centrifuges are not only robust and flexible but also energy-efficient and user-friendly. 

 

Oil rig view

Drainage Systems for Drill Ships and Platforms

GEA has developed several methods for processing drilling mud and water on the drilling decks of drilling platforms and drilling vessels; these range from a simple combination of decanter and separator, the upstream installation of a skimmer tank right through to recovery of the valuable heavy mineral barite. All three methods have already demonstrated their worth in the rough working environment of drilling platforms.

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