Development of a Large Scale Water Recycling Program for the Delaware Basin, New Mexico

Abstract

Water management in the oil and gas industry has evolved rapidly to meet the needs in the various plays across the country through the boom, downturn, and now into the expected recovery. Operators and service companies have improved frac fluid chemistries to utilize non-freshwater sources, developed treatment technologies to reuse produced water, identified improved options to move and store water, and in many cases, developed internal teams of experts to work more closely with water stakeholders (EWI, 2015). While energy from oil and gas generally requires less water than other sources (Mielke, Anadon, & Narayanmurti, 2010; Scanlon, 2013), impacts to local water resources in already water-stressed regions can be significant. One area where this is true is the Delaware Basin of Southeastern New Mexico. Devon's stacked pay potential in the Delaware Sands, Leonard Shale, Bone Spring, and Wolfcamp formations provides long-term development and growth opportunities. Economics have improved and operational risk has been reduced due to the innovative water recycling program which started with technology pilots in 2012 and expanded to become a core part of the Devon's Water Management Program for the area. Contrary to some public perception, the treatment of the water was not the only hurdle the team faced. Development of the program also required solutions to logistical problems related to storage and movement of the water and involved representatives from field operations, accounting, supply chain, completions, regulatory, and the water management team.

Water Issues Related to Transitioning from Conventional to Unconventional Oil Production in the Permian Basin

“…During the early stages of shale development, operators thought that freshwater was required for HF; however, advances in frac fluid chemistry allow the use of water with high total dissolved solids (TDS), up to ∼200,000 mg/L. 4,5 Less treatment of PW is required: mostly removal of total suspended solids, oil, and addition of a biocide. 6 This minimal treatment results in what is termed a "clean brine".…”

Will Water Issues Constrain Oil and Gas Production in the United States?

“…PW reuse for HF is facilitated by recent advances in HF water chemistry that allow the use of PW with minimal treatment, i.e., “clean brine” with TDS up to ∼260 000 mg/L. , Besides, regulations have been introduced to promote reuse of PW for HF by changing PW storage regulations. For example, New Mexico modified its regulations (Rule 34) to allow PW reuse/recycling without a permit for drilling, completion, and production and allow recycling containment facilities to be operated for up to 5 years, subject to annual renewals, to enhance potential PW reuse …”

“…For example, New Mexico modified its regulations (Rule 34) to allow PW reuse/ recycling without a permit for drilling, completion, and production and allow recycling containment facilities to be operated for up to 5 years, subject to annual renewals, to enhance potential PW reuse. 51 PW volumes from most gas plays have been low and prevailingly accommodated through reuse for HF. Decreasing HF water use, associated with reduced drilling related to low gas prices in recent years, has put increasing pressure on developing alternative PW management approaches.…”

An enterprise control methodology for the techno-economic assessment of the energy water nexus

“…As a consequence of decarbonization and low gas prices, a lot of new natural gas power plants are being installed to replace the retired coal and oil generation facilities [23]. However, natural gas production withdraws and consumes significant amounts of water (≈ 1000m 3 -30000m 3 per shale well per year [7]) and hence, cannot be ignored within the context of renewable energy integration [7,[24][25][26][27][28][29]. To meet the required CO 2 emission reductions, natural gas production is projected to grow by 44% between 2011 and 2040 [30].…”