The recent combination of significantly reduced launch costs and the confirmed presence of water ice on the Moon presents new opportunities for lunar construction beyond the constraints of traditional In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). This study investigates an alternative approach that incorporates Earth-supplied cement with lunar-derived resources to manufacture concrete directly on the lunar surface. In this concept, cement is transported from Earth, while lunar rocks are processed into aggregate and water ice is electrolyzed to provide the water and atmosphere necessary for concrete mixing. The resulting precast blocks are assembled into modular arch structures and covered with regolith for thermal and radiation protection. A comparative cost analysis shows that if launch costs fall from current levels (approximately US $1,410/kg) to projected levels under systems like Starship (US $10/kg), transportation costs for materials and equipment to build a habitat for two could drop from around US $138.6 million to just US $0.98 million. This roughly 99% reduction implies that conventional concrete-based construction may become economically viable for early lunar infrastructure. However, further research is needed in key areas such as performance of concrete structure under vacuum condition, in-situ water extraction efficiency, and optimization of regolith covering design.
Drilling-waste management is of great importance in the oil and gas industry due to the substantial volume of multi-component waste generated during the production process. Improper waste handling can pose serious environmental risks, including soil and water contamination and the release of harmful chemicals. Failure to properly manage waste can result in large fines and legal consequences, as well as damage to corporate reputation. Proper drilling-waste management is essential to mitigate these risks and ensure the sustainable and responsible operation of oil and gas projects. It involves the use of advanced technologies and best practices to treat and utilize drilling waste in an environmentally safe and cost-effective manner. This article describes a feasibility study of four drilling-waste management options in the context of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug of Russia. For ten years of the project life, the NPV under the base scenario is equal to RUB -3374.3 million, under the first scenario is equal to RUB -1466.7 million, under the second scenario is equal to RUB -1666.8 million and under the third scenario is equal to RUB -792.4 million. When considering projects, regardless of oil production, the project under the third scenario pays off in 7.8 years and the NPV is RUB 7.04 million. The MCD and MCV parameters were calculated to be 106 km and 2290 tons, respectively. Furthermore, the study estimates the ecological damage prevented and the environmental effect of each option. Quantitative risk assessments, conducted through sensitivity analysis, reveal that the fourth option, involving the conversion of drilling waste into construction materials, emerges as the most economically feasible. The study also evaluates the interaction between business and government and analyzes the current situation in the sphere of drilling-waste management, concluding with concise recommendations for both companies and official bodies.