It seems that Repsol after 3 1/2 months of drilling now have a problem with the mud being contaminated with oil and enough of it to have to take these measures to deal with it and this is the first time equipment like this has been brought into the country.

Repsol ships in special equipment to deal with chemical waste

Repsol Exploracion S.A. which is currently drilling for oil offshore in Guyana

The V-IR Thermal Unit

has brought special equipment to deal with its chemical waste.
According to the Spanish-owned company, the equipment is part of its procedure towards comprehensive waste management, treatment and disposal of all waste generated by the operation.
The V-IR Thermal Unit or the Vertical Infrared Desorption Unit is the first of its kind in the country. According to Repsol, it uses infrared heating elements to treat spent chemicals, sludge, oil waste generated from its mud plant processing, oily rags, booms and filters.
“Measuring 8 ft wide, 20 ft long and 5 ft high, the VIR utilizes little space for its purpose and holds approximately 30 cubic yards of soil/sludge at the optimum fill level. The unit is made from extremely durable components and is operated under a constant negative pressure to ensure that volatilized contaminants are not released as fugitive emissions.”
The unit, which is currently at the John Fernandes Limited container facility in Ruimveldt, also operates in accordance with international standards and air quality and noise standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
“After waste is processed through the V-IR, it is no longer hazardous and can safely be disposed at the Haags Bosch Landfill site, recently opened by the Government of Guyana. Since the waste is broken down to a sludge/soil, the volume that is disposed becomes much less and reduces potential strain on the carrying capacity of the landfill site,” Repsol said yesterday.
The V-IR also contains an oil-water separator that will allow water from the separator to be sent through a charcoal filter, which is then recycled for use in the scrubber.
“Waste oil in this operation is collected by a local mining company for use in their operation, resulting in zero oily waste entering the landfill, and a significantly reduced footprint in Guyana.”