Historic drilling-waste pit remediation programme
Client: Environmental remediation contractor (named on request under NDA)
Project Overview
A mid-cycle environmental contractor was mobilising to treat a legacy pit containing weathered hydrocarbon-contaminated drill cuttings and free liquids left over from a decommissioned drilling operation. Regulatory pressure required the pit to be reduced to an inert, off-site-ready product within a defined programme.
The Challenge
- Highly variable feedstock — weathered cuttings, free hydrocarbons, ponded rainwater and unknown legacy chemistry.
- Compressed regulatory timeline with penalty exposure for missed milestones.
- Chain-of-custody documentation demanded by the asset owner and the environmental regulator.
- Limited pad space adjacent to the pit for treatment equipment mobilisation.
Paragon's Approach
Treatment train selection exercise — dewatering, stabilisation and thermal review against a representative composite sample from across the pit.
Containerised dewatering unit specified around the peak expected sludge flow, with a properly sized polymer make-up skid rather than manual dosing.
Stabilisation mixer and chemical binder specification matched to the hydrocarbon fraction and target leachate criteria.
Ongoing engineering support during the treatment campaign, with sampling and analytical protocols agreed with the regulator up front.
What Paragon Supplied
- Containerised dewatering unit (decanter, polymer make-up, feed pump)
- Skid-mounted stabilisation mixer
- Chemical binder supply matched to feedstock chemistry
- Sampling and analytical protocol documentation package
Outcomes
Delivery Partners
Where appropriate, Paragon Environmental Solutions collaborates with carefully selected OEMs, manufacturers, and technology partners to deliver the most effective solution for each project. This ensures clients receive proven equipment supported by independent engineering expertise and local operational support.
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