From Wastewater to Wellpad: Produced Water Reuse in the Montney Region
Client: A Major Oil and Gas Producer
Location: Montney Basin, British Columbia, Canada
The Challenge: Hydraulic fracturing operations in the oil and gas industry generate vast quantities of “produced water” – a complex mixture of water, salts, hydrocarbons, and chemical additives from the fracturing process. Disposing of this water is costly, environmentally sensitive, and represents a loss of a valuable resource in often water-scarce regions. The client needed a solution to treat and reuse this produced water for subsequent fracturing operations, reducing freshwater consumption and disposal costs.
The Solution: The contracted industrial projects company implemented a multi-stage water treatment system designed to handle the challenging composition of produced water. A key component of the solution was Swirltex’s proprietary swirl-flow ultrafiltration (UF) technology. This innovative system is designed to handle high levels of suspended solids and oil, which would quickly foul conventional membrane systems.
The treatment train also included pre-treatment steps to remove larger solids and oil, followed by the UF system for fine filtration. The treated water was then suitable for reuse in the client’s operations.
Key Project Features:
- Technology: Multi-stage treatment including Swirltex ultrafiltration.
- Target Contaminants: Suspended solids, oil and grease, and bacteria.
- Outcome: High-quality treated water suitable for reuse in hydraulic fracturing.
The Outcome: The project delivered significant economic and environmental benefits. By treating and reusing produced water, the client drastically reduced its reliance on fresh water, a critical consideration in a region with growing water demands.
Quantifiable Benefits:
- Freshwater Reduction: Significantly less freshwater withdrawal for fracturing operations.
- Cost Savings: Reduced expenses associated with water sourcing and wastewater disposal.
- Environmental Impact: Minimized truck traffic for water transport and reduced the volume of wastewater requiring deep-well injection.
This project demonstrates the capability to tackle one of the most significant environmental challenges in the oil and gas industry through advanced, customized water treatment solutions.
