BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Gov. Jack Dalrymple and an Arizona company are touting a process aimed treating and recycling oil drilling waste.
Dalrymple and Scottsdale, Arizona-based Nuverra Environmental Solutions say the drilling byproduct can be used for such things as road building instead of being dumped in special landfills.
North Dakota lawmakers this year approved a measure to create a pilot project aimed at the estimated 1 million tons of drilling waste produced annually in the state.
The measure sets aside about $65,000 for the state Health Department to monitor an independent pilot project and develop standards.
Companies drilling in western North Dakota are left with some two dozen semitrailer loads of drill cuttings from each well that either have to be stored on site or dumped in a landfill.