Abstract: Water-based drilling cuttings were the primary solid waste during natural gas extraction in Daniudi gas field. They were produced from mud separation and recycling system, which was introduced to treat waste drilling mud. In order to dispose the cuttings reasonably, it was necessary to conduct the hazard identification first to minimize the environmental risk. The water-based drilling cuttings were not listed in the National Catalogue of Hazardous Wastes, which can be further assessed by Identification Standards for Hazardous Wastes according to China's hazardous waste identification system. On the basis of Identification Standards for Hazardous Wastes, fifty samples were collected from different drilling formation for test of corrosivity, flammability, reactivity, leaching toxicity and toxic substances. The results showed that the pH value of the cuttings was 9.39-10.2; the cuttings' combustion rate was 0; heavy metals and toxic organic compounds of samples and leaching solution were lower than the limit value. The results meant that the water-based drilling cuttings in Daniudi gas field were not hazardous and could not be regarded as hazardous waste. In summary, the water-based drilling cuttings should be managed as general industrial solid waste.