Recycling Success with Flowback Frack Water in Eaglef Ford | Russell T. Rudy Energy LLC
The good news is that recent studies by the Department of Energy and others indicate that fracking, per se, does not contaminate aquifers. However, the practice does require significant amounts of water for use as a fracking fluid. Disposal of fracking fluids can also present a problem. An obvious solution would be the purification of fracking fluids for recycling as either a fracking fluid or for other uses. While every area is different, and approaches vary, “Rigzone” reports encouraging success in the Eagle Ford shale in South Texas.
Dow Water and Process Solutions, and Omni Water Solutions Inc., have formed a strategic alliance that is yielding promising results in Karnes County in South Texas. The project which began in June, 2013, is currently recycling 725,000 barrels per day (bpd) and expects to be processing 1 million bpd by year-end. Dow’s extensive portfolio of membranes, and Omni’s custom tailored approach have proven an effective combination. Together they are converting produced fracking fluids into clean brine for work overs, and fresh water for re-use in fracking.
Oil and gas operators, especially those in arid regions, realize that water use can be constrained by regulations, but also by the “social license to operate”. Currently the latter is the more restrictive as operators are very sensitive to the demands that fracking can put on scarce water supplies. Also, while fresh water can still be purchased economically, as supplies are reduced prices will increase to the point that this is no longer the case. All these factors make a compelling argument for recycling.
Fortunately, the Texas Railroad Commission is very supportive of recycling and works as an active partner with operators to make the practice feasible. While other states are less proactive, some such as New Mexico, are starting to collaborate as well.
It is hoped that success in the Eagle Ford can be replicated in the Permian Basin of West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico where twice as much drilling activity is taking place and the scarcity of water is even more acute. Dow and Omni are already actively involved in the Permian and hope to eventually tailor their solutions to other oil and gas plays across the U. S.
To read the article in its entirety please go to http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=135107 .
