and the wastes); and the need for analyses, tests, and demonstrations. Also, high concentrations of soluble salts or metals can limit the use of land spreading. When evaluating land spreading as a drilling waste management option, several items should be considered. These include area-wide topographical and geological features; current and likely future activities around the disposal site; hydrogeologic data (location, size, and direction of flow for existing surface water bodies and fresh or usable aquifers); natural or existing drainage patterns; nearby environmentally sensitive features such as wetlands, urban areas, historical or archeological sites, and protected habitats; the presence of endangered species; and potential air quality impacts. In addition, historical rainfall distribution data should be reviewed to establish moisture requirements for land spreading and predict net evaporation rates. Devices needed to control water flow into, onto, or from facility systems should be identified. Wastes should be characterized during the evaluation; drilling wastes with high levels of hydrocarbons and salts may not be appropriate for land spreading. Recycling Some cuttings can be beneficially reused. Before the cuttings can be reused or recycled, it may be necessary to follow steps to ensure the hydrocarbon and chloride content are lowered to within the standards for reuse of appropriate governing bodies. Reuse of cuttings through road spreading is permitted in some areas. To do this may require permission from both appropriate governing agencies as well as land owners. Drill cuttings can also be recycled for use as bulk particulate solid construction materials such as road base for site roads and pads. The cuttings must first be screened and dried, before being processed in a pugmill or similar mixing method. Drilling waste can also be recycled in mixes for other large, substantially monolithic specialized concrete structures. References Bansal, K. M., and Sugiarto, 1999, "Exploration and Production Operations - Waste Management A Comparative Overview: U.S. and Indonesia Cases", SPE 54345, SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference, Jakarta, Indonesia, April 20–22, 1999. Callahan, M. A., A. J. Stewart, C. Alarcon, and S. J. McMillen, 2002, "Effects of Earthworm (Eisenia Fetida) and Wheat (Triticum Aestivum) Straw Additions on Selected Properties of Petroleum-Contaminated Soils", Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Vol. 21, No. 8, pp. 1658–1663. Cole, E., and S. Mark, 2000, "E&P Waste: Manage It Cost Effectively through Land Farming", World Oil, August Vol. 221, No. 8. E&P Forum, 1993, "Exploration and Production (E&P) Waste Management Guidelines", Report No. 2.58/196,