Water Technology, Nov/Dec 2018

NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2018 watertechonline com 21 Emerging technologies for water challenges in oil gas operations Advanced treatment processes help make water reclamation more affordable and help operators comply with environmental regulations By Alan Murphy Varkha Agrawal Alpha Water Resources il and gas water treatment is one of the fastest growing markets in the world Most available freshwater does not meet current water demands that continue to grow at a rapid rate due to the booming oil and gas sector Water needs vary from user to user and region to region and optimal water solutions will also vary with different water types but one thing is certain new technological solutions are a must to address the issue of adequate freshwater supply Freshwater challenges in oil gas operations Freshwater is an essential commodity in oil and gas operations such as for fracturing of a well During a fracking operation chemicals are pushed down holes under high water pressure The water that returns to the surface is known as produced water Produced water requires appropriate treatment to meet acceptable standards before disposed via injection wells or saltwater disposal facilities The first issue that oil and gas operators face are problems with maintaining a sustainable supply of freshwater to continue operations Freshwater is already in short supply for several other critical sectors spanning irrigation agriculture and industrial which makes it difficult to obtain Additionally existing local water sources do not often provide enough water to support fracturing operations because each operation may take millions of gallons of water per day As such these water sources do not suffice Furthermore increased oil and gas activities have led to growing saltwater intrusion in injection wells leading to higher total dissolved solids TDS levels Due to density and high pressure saltwater can easily enter the subsurface layer of freshwater aquifers and create FEATURES OIL GAS WT O sasacvetkovic33 iStock