Produced water remediation is possible with the recent advancements in technology. However, some companies are yet to embrace this technology and they are still disposing this water in inappropriate ways. The prevalence of sustainable fracturing is highly dependent on how gas and oil producing companies engage in remediation of produced water. However, this is also dependent on both negative and positive motivators.
Positive motivators are provided the economic advantages that come with recycling the produced water. This is common in places where there are no cheap disposal alternatives. It is also common in places where price of water is exorbitant. Negative motivators are in form of regulations by the government. Restrictions of the standard methods for disposing the water also cause negative motivation. Nevertheless, finding appropriate remediation for produced water is very important for the environment and human population.
During hydraulic fracturing process, millions of gallons of pure or fresh water are pumped into the wells. This water is pumped at high pressures to fracture the underground rocks that hold gas and oil. This water returns to the well’s surface containing all manner of chemicals and substances. It also contains chemicals that are used to enhance fracturing of the rocks. To facilitate successful fracturing, engineers use strong chemicals that alter the composition of fluid that comes out with water.
As such, produced water remediation practices must involve high levels of treatment and cleaning. All chemicals and toxic substances contained in the water must be removed before this water can be reused. Before this water can be reused in the fracturing operations, slate has to be wiped clean from the water. This is because some chemicals or additives are used in the fracturing process. If slate is not wiped clean in the water, it will hinder the effectiveness and efficiency of these chemicals in fracturing the rocks that holds gas and oil.
Although remediation process varies, they are available. This implies that no gas and oil producing company should waste water or dispose it in inappropriate methods that pose risk to the community or the environment. In fact, there are firms that offer remediation services for produced water. Such services include treatment for the produced water and its re-use in the hydro-fracturing processes.
Through remediation of produced water, gas and oil producing companies can save the amount of money that they spend in getting water for use in hydro-fracturing as well as in transporting it to the disposal sites.
There are many factors that affect produced water remediation. However, effective remediation is beneficial to the oil producer and for the environment. Click here to get more info.
