Oil & Gas Produced Water Management

The oil and gas industry is shifting from treating produced water as a waste stream to an integrated water management approach due to scarcity of water, economics of water management, declining oil costs, and environmental and ecological stewardship. This book outlines the technologies and techniques used in this shift, including produced water characteristics, regulations, and management options, produced water treatment fundamentals, and process equipment and advantages/disadvantages of currently available treatment processes.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 91 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2021
Publisher: Morgan & Claypool Publishers

Produced water is a complex mixture of inorganics and organics that is formed underground and brought to the surface during oil and gas (O&G) production and exploration and production (E&P) operations. It is usually a large volume waste stream and has traditionally been considered a waste, with conventional management strategies including disposal, recycling, and reuse. However, the O&G industry is going through a paradigm shift where scarcity of water, economics of water management, declining oil costs, and increasing focus on environmental and ecological stewardship are shifting the focus toward integrated water management in E&P operations.

Water is no longer a problem to be delegated to a third-party disposal or treatment vendor, but is becoming a cornerstone of O&G production. This book outlines the technologies and techniques used in the oil and gas industry's shift from treating produced water as a waste stream to an integrated water management approach.

Produced water characteristics:
Produced water is a complex mixture of inorganics and organics that can vary greatly in composition, including chemicals, minerals, and organic compounds. The composition of produced water can vary depending on the source of the water, such as oil and gas wells, drilling operations, and production facilities.

Regulations and management options:
There are various regulations and management options for managing produced water, including federal, state, and local regulations. In the United States, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established regulations for the management of produced water, including requirements for treatment and disposal.

Produced water treatment fundamentals:
Produced water treatment is a critical step in managing produced water to meet reuse and discharge limits and more stringent environmental regulations. There are several treatment processes available for treating produced water, including physical/chemical treatment, biological treatment, and membrane treatment.

Process equipment and advantages/disadvantages:
There are various types of process equipment available for treating produced water, including sand filters, activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis systems, and chemical treatment systems. Each type of equipment has its advantages and disadvantages, and the selection of equipment should be based on the specific characteristics of the produced water and the desired treatment outcome.

Advantages of produced water treatment:
Produced water treatment can help to reduce the environmental impact of O&G operations by reducing the volume of produced water that needs to be disposed of or treated. It can also help to improve the quality of the water, making it suitable for reuse or discharge to the environment.

Disadvantages of produced water treatment:
Produced water treatment can be expensive and requires significant capital investment. It can also be energy-intensive and require ongoing maintenance and operation. Additionally, some treatment processes may produce byproducts that need to be managed and disposed of.

Conclusion:
The oil and gas industry is going through a significant shift toward integrated water management in E&P operations. Produced water is a complex mixture of inorganics and organics that is a large volume waste stream. Traditional management strategies include disposal, recycling, and reuse, but these strategies are becoming increasingly expensive and environmentally problematic. Integrated water management involves treating produced water to meet reuse and discharge limits and more stringent environmental regulations, and it is becoming a cornerstone of O&G production.

Weight: 190g
Dimension: 189 x 236 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781681738277