Water management

Fit-for-Purpose Treatment of Produced Water for Hydraulic Fracturing in the Permian Basin

Sourcing water for large multifracture stimulations in west Texas is a well-known constraint on oil and gas activities in the area. A 6-month pilot operation demonstrated that produced-water reuse is technically feasible and can be a cost-effective solution.

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Sourcing water for large multifracture stimulations in west Texas is a well-known constraint on oil and gas activities in the area. A 6-month pilot operation demonstrated that produced-water reuse is technically feasible and can be a cost-effective solution. A fit-for-purpose treatment scheme was created to remove free oil, suspended solids, hydrogen sulfide, and iron and to render microorganisms inactive. The technical approach developed allowed for the use of salty produced water for completion activities using a new type of friction reducer.

Introduction

The oil and gas industry has identified water management as one of the top challenges for energy extraction from unconventional resources.

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