Incident Overview

In October, ACME Environmental’s spill response team mobilized to a pipeline construction site in southeastern Oklahoma following a significant drilling mud release. During horizontal directional boring operations for a new pipeline, crews struck an underground cavern that filled up with the drilling mud being used. The disturbance of the buildup caused the material to surface and flow into a nearby dry creek bed, spreading through the surrounding wooded terrain. The resulting release presented several cleanup challenges, including a substantial volume of drilling mud, nearly 500 feet of affected creek, and limited access through dense vegetation. ACME mobilized specialized equipment and experienced spill technicians to recover the released material, remove residual mud, and address the affected areas.

A creek affected by spilled drilling mud

Response Mobilization

ACME Environmental deployed a combination of specialized vacuum equipment and manual cleanup methods to address the release. These methods included:

Mobilizing ACME’s 800-gallon dry vacuum trailer to recover drilling mud
Vacuuming and removing accumulated drilling mud throughout the affected creek
Transporting recovered material back to the active boring site for potential reuse
Using hand tools, including rakes, shovels, and disposal bags, to collect residual drilling mud from areas inaccessible to larger equipment
Clearing vegetation and creating access paths to reach impacted sections of the creek

ACME’s vacuum trailer staged near a creek contaminated with drilling mud

Drilling Mud Recovery and Material Management

A primary component of the cleanup involved ACME’s 800-gallon dry vacuum trailer. The specialized trailer allowed our spill technicians to recover accumulated drilling mud from the creek while navigating areas where larger vacuum trucks and equipment could not easily operate. Rather than simply collecting the recovered material for disposal, ACME coordinated with the drilling contractor to transport the recovered drilling mud back to the active boring site, where it was staged for potential reuse. This approach helped preserve usable drilling material while reducing the volume of waste requiring off-site disposal. The combination of vacuum recovery and material transportation provided an efficient solution for managing the substantial volume of drilling mud released into the environment.

An ACME spill tech using our vacuum trailer to remove drilling mud from a creek

Manual Cleanup and Residual Material Removal

While vacuum recovery addressed larger quantities of the accumulated drilling mud, additional cleanup was necessary to remove residual material throughout the creek and wooded area. ACME spill technicians used hand tools, including rakes and shovels, to collect and consolidate drilling mud in areas difficult to access with mechanical equipment. Recovered material was placed into disposal bags for collection and removal. These hands-on methods allowed technicians to work through narrower sections of the creek, address remaining impacted areas, and reach locations where larger equipment could not effectively operate. Combining mechanical recovery with manual cleanup helped ACME address the release more thoroughly and account for other conditions throughout the affected area.

One of ACME's spill techs shoveling drilling mud into the back of our 4x4 lined with visqueen

One of ACME’s spill techs shoveling drilling mud into the back of our 4×4 lined with visqueen

ACME spill techs using shovels to pull drilling mud closer to the vacuum trailer suction hose for faster recovery

Spill Response Solutions Built Around Every Job Site

Over the course of approximately one month, ACME Environmental’s spill response team cleaned nearly 500 feet of the affected creek, combining specialized vacuum recovery, hands-on cleanup methods, and strategic equipment mobilization to overcome challenging site conditions. This project demonstrates that effective spill response requires more than simply having the right equipment. It takes experienced personnel, careful coordination, and the ability to adjust recovery methods to meet the demands of each job site. Whether responding to drilling mud releases, hydrocarbon spills, pipeline incidents, or contaminated waterways, ACME Environmental has the resources and field experience to develop solutions for even the most challenging conditions.

When a release occurs, having the right response partner makes all the difference. As a #0010 Oil Spill Removal Organization (OSRO) designated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), ACME Environmental provides 24/7/365 emergency spill response services, bringing together the equipment, personnel, and adaptability needed to respond to releases of all types and sizes.

Contact ACME Environmental to discuss your spill response needs and learn how our team can help you stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.