Drilling Fluid Waste Management: Global Pollution and Remediation Technologies

Drilling fluid waste poses a significant environmental threat due to its high content of total petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants. Four primary remediation technologies—solid-liquid separation, thermal treatment, microbial remediation, and Mud-to-Cement (MTC) conversion—are systematically reviewed. A comparative assessment framework is developed, integrating regional geological characteristics and recent technological advancements. A comprehensive summary of joint treatment strategies—recognized as one of the most effective approaches—is also presented, highlighting improvements in remediation efficiency through the combination of multiple technologies. The discussion concludes with recommendations for optimizing hybrid systems to support more sustainable drilling waste management.