Cleaned oil-drill cuttings for use as filler in bituminous mixtures

Oil-drill cuttings, separated from drilling mud and shipped to shore for removal of oil before landfilling, have potential for use as aggregate in construction. A range of samples, originating from different locations in the North Sea, were obtained from licensed processors. Geometrical, physical, and chemical properties were tested against existing standard requirements for fillers. The materials were either readily suitable for inclusion in pavement asphalt or after minor adjustment of the processing technology. Performance of test mixtures made with cleaned oil-drill cuttings was compared to a limestone reference.