Patent ID: 8096371
Filing Date: 2012-01-17
Classification: B63B,B65G,E21B

Abstract:
1. A method of disposing of drill cuttings from an oil and/or gas well drilling platform, comprising: (a) providing a barge having an upper level with an area, the barge having at least one storage area, a cover slidably connected to the at least one storage area, the cover having multiple cover sections that are positioned side by side when covering the at least one storage area; (b) placing the at least one storage area in a first open state by sliding over in a generally horizontal position at least one but not all cover sections from its closed position for the at least one storage area; (c) receiving cuttings in the barge's at least one storage area, the cuttings being received from the drilling platform; (d) after step “c”, placing the at least one storage area in a closed state by sliding back any cover sections moved in step “b” so that the cuttings in the storage area are contained; (e) transporting the barge from the drilling platform to a collection site; (f) placing the at least one storage compartment in a second open state by moving from the inlet of the at least one storage area more of the cover sections than were moved in step “b” so that the cuttings in the barge's at least one storage area can be removed; and (g) removing through the inlet the cuttings from the barge's at least one storage area.