Produced Water: Environmental Issues/ Technological Solution of the Nigeria Depletion Era

Abstract

Environmental literatures have been greatly concerned with possible detrimental effect of continued produced water discharged in offshore and onshore areas. While it remains a major policy for the operating companies in Oil production to be environmental friendly in achieving their goal of maximum petroleum exploitation, certain natural phenomenon tends to pull a negative effect on the production of Produced water as an inevitable associate of crude oil. As the Depletion of crude oil reservoirs in Nigeria becomes more evident by nature of maturing field, the production of Produced water, which varies directly as Depletion will be increasing at almost a geometric rate that effective treatment of this effluent may elude the various Operating companies. With a case study of field F in the Niger Delta, this paper technically reviewed the environmental issues of the pollution effect of Produced Water, inductively analyzed the Depletion Rate of the case study and recommended technological solution to this problem. Illustratively, a schematic flow diagram relating the technological solution was made, delineating the various option of Produced water Disposal Systems that are within expectable standards, conforming to flora and fauna safety. Introduction The production of crude oil has over the year act as a major revenue generator for the country, with over 100 billion barrels as estimate reserves since the late 50's with a daily production rate approaching 2 million barrels. Petroleum Analyst has estimated another 10 years for the life span of our reserves if additional provable reserves are not added to the current data. Although much attention is now being channeled towards the harnessing of Natural Gas as a new revenue source, the production of crude oil still remains the major of the two. Exploration and exploitation (of crude oil) processes are highly capital intensive and involves the use of well-developed technology and manpower. Coporating all factors of production, the Petroleum industry over the years have unveiled as a high profit-yielding venture. Nevertheless, there exist certain problems, which may hamper the progress of these operations at certain times. These problems with their complexity come with dynamic and specific causes at different stages of petroleum production and therefore require specific technological solutions to be tackle. However longtime planning has proven very helpful in proffering solution for envisaged problems that may occur in the course of petroleum production and such is one that this Paper deals with. The problematic effect of produced water as a potential pollutant to our immediate environment. With aims at proper environmental risk assessment and management, developing the most effective produced water treatment and disposal program will greatly reduce the environmental issues that will be raised as the depletion era gradually slips in. This involves cost and performance efficiency evaluation of different disposal options and proffering the best as an approach towards solving potential long-term problems of effluent discharge.