Oil and Gas Produced Water Reuse: Opportunities, Treatment Needs, and Challenges

Abstract

Advances in water treatment technologies paired with potential restrictions on oil and gas (O&G) produced water disposal could incentivize the beneficial reuse of treated produced water in the O&G industry. However, the remote nature of O&G operations limits the applicability of many of these solutions, which may be spatially inefficient, require operator supervision, or are ill-suited for the complex nature of produced water. Furthermore, the responsible, sustainable reuse of produced water as an alternative water source requires standardized analytical techniques for characterizing and determining the toxicity of treated produced water and improving our understanding of the fate and transport of various constituents. In the past decade, we made little progress in economically treating produced water for beneficial reuse outside of oilfield operations; the sole major breakthrough has been in the development of salt-tolerant fracturing chemicals that allow for reuse of produced water for fracking operations. Guided research should assist in the development of fit-for-purpose solutions to maximize the reuse of treated produced water. This is exemplified by the case studies presented here that detail currently operating treatment facilities for reclamation and reuse of produced water.

Textured ceramic membranes for desilting and deoiling of produced water in the Permian Basin

“…However, treatment trains have not been widely adopted as a result of their large footprints, propensity for producing significant volumes of sludge, and prohibitive capital and maintenance costs (Mercelat et al, 2021;Fakhru'l-Razi et al, 2009). Notably, there is considerable variation of PW across different regions of the Permian Basin (Cooper et al, 2021), which renders the design of universal treatment trains rather challenging. Innovative water treatment solutions are urgently required to address the challenges of PW treatment and to ensure a supply of fresh water for agricultural and industrial purposes in the semi-arid Permian, which is home to several growing cities.…”

Novel systematic approach for produced water volume quantification applicable for beneficial reuse

“…1b. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] A reasonable fraction of PW is currently being managed using it for secondary and tertiary recovery processes, i.e., enhanced oil recovery (EOR). At the same time, the balance amount is being disposed of in salt-water disposal (SWD) wells, evaporation ponds, rivers, lakes, etc.…”

Safety and Technical Feasibility of Sustainable Reuse of Shale Gas Flowback and Produced Water after Advanced Treatment Aimed at Wheat Irrigation

“…After the completion of the hydraulic fracturing stage in shale gas operations, wastewater mainly returns to the surface as flowback water (the initial water that is recovered with shale gas) and produced water mostly comprising the natural deep formation water. − Therefore, FPW usually contains high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), organic matter (dissolved organic carbon; DOC), metals, hydrocarbons and other volatile compounds, some synthetic organic chemical additives, as well as some naturally occurring radioactive materials that may be present in the formation. − In recent years, the option of applying FPW directly or indirectly for agricultural irrigation has become a focus of growing discussion. , Small amounts of organic matter and micronutrient elements in municipal sewage and industrial wastewaters, at times also including rare earth elements (e.g., Ce), have been shown to promote the growth of some algae strains or higher plants under certain circumstances. − On the other hand, the salinity, alkalinity, and ionic composition of oilfield-produced water may significantly hinder its reuse in agriculture since these characteristics can cause nutrient imbalances, as well as osmotic and specific ion stress, in plant cells. , Methods of reusing produced water with minimal TDS treatment or upon dilution with freshwater for farmland irrigation are currently being applied in Kern County (California), but the complexity of FPW components can result in detrimental effects on humans and ecosystems …”

“…28,29 Methods of reusing produced water with minimal TDS treatment or upon dilution with freshwater for farmland irrigation are currently being applied in Kern County (California), but the complexity of FPW components can result in detrimental effects on humans and ecosystems. 30 Salt and organic compound tolerance differs among plants. The concentrations of TDS and DOC of irrigation water are generally lower than 3500 and 5 mg/L, respectively, to maintain normal dryland plant growth and biomass accumulation, and the use of water with substance contents above the current guidelines to irrigate crops may lead to yield reduction and germination problems.…”