Oilfield Cement Return Pits

The general consensus in the oil patch is that disposing of cement returns into a pit is the cheapest and easiest way to deal with cement returns. If all the short term and long term costs of cement pits are tallied together and if the pits are built and reclaimed as they are supposed to, according to regulations, you will find they no longer seem all that cost effective.

The following is a rough estimate of the expense for the life of a cement return pit.

Cement Return Pits – 100 Wells – $152,500

If cement return pits go through an environmental assessment and do not pass the costs can soar even more.

Environmental Work Up Soil Sampling Drilling for ground level water Consulting Fees	$15,000
Pit Construction and Reclamation Dig Pit Proper 4:1 Mix and Bury	$80,000
Access	$20,000

Land Owner Costs $5,000 per year x 5 years	$25,000
Yearly Maintenance Spraying Consulting Fees Fence Repairs $2,500 per year x 5 years	$12,500
If cement pits have to have an environmental assessment phase 1 & 2, costs could range from $10,000 - $50,000 and this does not guarantee site will pass.