An additive package for removing oil from solid material recovered from a
well bore, e.g., drill cuttings and produced sand, is provided. The
additive package includes an aqueous acidic solution containing a polymer
substituted with an amino group, a halogenating agent, and optionally one
or more surfactants. The polymer substituted with an amino group is
preferably chitosan, and the halogenating agent is preferably a sodium
hypochlorite solution. A product of the reaction of the polymer and the
halogenating agent, in conjunction with the surfactant when present, is
capable of causing the separation of at least a portion of the oil from
the solid material.