The reuse of water from the petroleum sector is a growing trend around the world. Using produced water (PW) outside of the energy sector requires treatment to remove oil, salts, and chemicals. The water is sometimes stored in surface pits, negatively affecting local air quality and groundwater supplies. In some areas, large volumes of PW are disposed of by deep underground injection wells, which can lead to earthquakes.
Depending on the location of your home, you might have to purchase an STP to handle your sewage. Generally, residential buildings need at least one STP to treat sewage. Many STPs are located underground, making them difficult to maintain. Moreover, you may not be able to inspect them without hiring an expert. It is better to consult a professional if you have any doubts about the process.
Reuse of produced water outside of the energy sector
Reusing produced water has many benefits and can be an excellent way to address environmental concerns. The water produced during oil and gas production is called produced water, and it can be used for a variety of purposes, including crop irrigation. These water resources differ significantly from formation to formation, and many companies handle this waste material as waste. However, the growing demand for freshwater and regional variability of available water resources has prompted an increased interest in the reuse of produced water.
The white paper looks toward a future in which higher volumes of produced water are treated to discharge quality and released back to surface waterways. These waters can also be used for other purposes, including livestock, irrigation, and industrial processes. It is also possible to reuse produced water for drinking water standards. However, it is important to note that reusing produced water outside of energy production does not address all the water challenges facing the energy industry.
Treatment technologies for produced water
Production water is treated in several stages to remove oil and other contaminants. Typically, produced water is separated by hydrocyclones and API separators before being reinjected or discharged overboard. The final step is filtration. Filtration reduces total suspended solids and bacteria, which contribute to the souring of reservoirs. Filtration processes can be fast or slow depending on the rate of contamination removal and final quality.
Among the treatment technologies for produced water in the petroleum industry, media filtration is a simple, economical method of producing clean water. The media is typically comprised of sand, walnut shells, or anthracite coal and can remove oils and total organic carbon from produced water. This method can also be used on highly salted water. It requires a vessel to contain the media and pumps for backwashes. Additionally, chemicals are required for enhanced filtration, separation, and media regeneration.
Impacts on local water sources
The impact of the petroleum industry on local water supplies is significant. In New Mexico, which ranks second in the nation in terms of oil production, the state is experiencing a drought. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham recognized this and sought to develop new methods to recover millions of gallons of produced water each year. The New Mexico Consortium for Water Research and Conservation (NMCCWR) recently published a plan for research that will study the public health and environmental effects of water produced by the industry.
Produced waters must be disposed of or reused in oil and gas production. These wastewaters are treated to remove oil residue and salts during recycling. Some wastewater treatment facilities store these wastewaters in surface pits that affect local air quality and groundwater supplies. In other cases, large quantities of produced water are disposed of through deep underground injection wells. This practice has been linked to earthquakes in some regions.
Limitations of PW reuse outside of the energy sector
In the U.S., the amount of PW was estimated at 3.4 trillion gallons and 0.9 trillion liters in 2012. Approximately half of that volume is injected into conventional reservoirs with a high permeability used in enhanced oil recovery and pressure maintenance. On the other hand, HF water demand exceeds the amount of PW volumes by more than twofold. Hence, PW reuse in the energy sector has significant potential for reducing HF water demands.
There are several risks associated with the management of PW, including spills, leaks, and casing failures. Moreover, less than a quarter of the 1200 chemicals in PW have an approved analytical technique, leaving most of the compounds without toxicological data. Therefore, the petroleum industry should be aware of these risks before pursuing PW reuse. However, the challenges are too great to be ignored.
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