TECHNICAL PROGRAMME | Energy Infrastructure – Future Pathways
Water Management in the Energy Industry: Innovations for Sustainability & Efficiency
Forum 12 | Hall 10 - Technical Programme 2
15
October
09:30
11:00
UTC+3
As the petroleum industry focuses on sustainable and efficient operations, effective water management remains a critical priority. This forum will explore the latest technologies and strategies for handling produced water, with the aim of minimising environmental impact and optimising water usage in extraction and refining processes. Key topics will include advanced water treatment, reuse, and disposal methods, as well as regulatory compliance. Industry experts will discuss innovative solutions for reducing the water footprint, presenting case studies and best practices to provide valuable insights into the current state of water management and the future advancements essential for sustainable operations.
Environmental sustainability at a leading oil refinery depends on the effective management of wastewater and sludge, with the Effluent Treatment Facilities (ETF) and sludge handling and treatment facility delivering operational excellence in Kuwait National Petroleum Company( KNPC). The ETF processes complex wastewater streams such as contaminated sea cooling water returns, process water from drainage systems, and sanitary sewage through filtration, mechanical, and biological treatment to eliminate contaminants and ensure safe discharge. In parallel, the sludge handling unit tackles diverse waste streams, including oily residues from product bottom tanks and solids from wastewater treatment. This unit employs an effective process of dewatering to remove excess moisture, and advanced treatment techniques to recover valuable products, reducing untreated sludge volumes from 27,355.636 m³ to just 800 m³ annually for landfill disposal.
Continuous monitoring of effluent quality against regulatory compliances drives performance enhancements, mitigating risks to soil, groundwater, and aquatic ecosystems. These efforts yield significant sustainability gains, such as reusing treated water annually for irrigation, substantially reducing freshwater dependency in agricultural applications. Future initiatives to repurpose treated water for well injections promise additional resource optimization. By integrating wastewater and sludge management, KNPC lowers its ecological footprint and sets a replicable standard for sustainable practices, reflecting a dedicated commitment to environmental responsibility through measurable, impactful results.
Continuous monitoring of effluent quality against regulatory compliances drives performance enhancements, mitigating risks to soil, groundwater, and aquatic ecosystems. These efforts yield significant sustainability gains, such as reusing treated water annually for irrigation, substantially reducing freshwater dependency in agricultural applications. Future initiatives to repurpose treated water for well injections promise additional resource optimization. By integrating wastewater and sludge management, KNPC lowers its ecological footprint and sets a replicable standard for sustainable practices, reflecting a dedicated commitment to environmental responsibility through measurable, impactful results.
Desalination plants in the Arabian Gulf and other arid regions face significant challenges in terms of efficiency and productivity. Currently, Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems achieve permeate yields of approximately 30–35%, limiting their effectiveness in meeting growing water demands. Simultaneously, there is an increasing global focus on integrating sustainable energy sources into industrial processes.
This study presents a novel Electrochemical Desalination Pretreatment (EDP) technology, developed by E-Watts Technologies (patent pending), aimed at enhancing the performance of existing RO desalination plants. The EDP process has been tested in over 25 lab pilot-scale trials, demonstrating improvements in RO productivity of 45–50%, reaching permeate recovery rates between 50–80%. Additionally, fouling rates were reduced by over 94%, consumption of anti-scaling agents decreased by approximately 80%, and bicarbonate/carbonate concentrations and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) were reduced by more than 94% and 90%, respectively.
An additional feature of the EDP system is its capacity to enable the cogeneration of green hydrogen. For a desalination facility with a capacity of 1,000,000 m³/day, hydrogen production is estimated at 3,000–4,000 tonnes per year. The integration of EDP not only improves water treatment performance but also reduces environmental impact by lowering chemical reagent use, concentrate discharge volumes, and reliance on new infrastructure such as marine outfalls.
The implementation of EDP has the potential to optimize existing desalination infrastructure, reduce operating expenses (OPEX), and transform desalination plants into dual-purpose facilities capable of both freshwater and green hydrogen production. The estimated payback period for the technology is 1.5 years. EDP thus offers a unified solution to two critical global challenges: enhancing desalination efficiency and enabling sustainable hydrogen generation from seawater.
Co-author/s:
Rita Blasi, e-Watts Technologies SL.
This study presents a novel Electrochemical Desalination Pretreatment (EDP) technology, developed by E-Watts Technologies (patent pending), aimed at enhancing the performance of existing RO desalination plants. The EDP process has been tested in over 25 lab pilot-scale trials, demonstrating improvements in RO productivity of 45–50%, reaching permeate recovery rates between 50–80%. Additionally, fouling rates were reduced by over 94%, consumption of anti-scaling agents decreased by approximately 80%, and bicarbonate/carbonate concentrations and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) were reduced by more than 94% and 90%, respectively.
An additional feature of the EDP system is its capacity to enable the cogeneration of green hydrogen. For a desalination facility with a capacity of 1,000,000 m³/day, hydrogen production is estimated at 3,000–4,000 tonnes per year. The integration of EDP not only improves water treatment performance but also reduces environmental impact by lowering chemical reagent use, concentrate discharge volumes, and reliance on new infrastructure such as marine outfalls.
The implementation of EDP has the potential to optimize existing desalination infrastructure, reduce operating expenses (OPEX), and transform desalination plants into dual-purpose facilities capable of both freshwater and green hydrogen production. The estimated payback period for the technology is 1.5 years. EDP thus offers a unified solution to two critical global challenges: enhancing desalination efficiency and enabling sustainable hydrogen generation from seawater.
Co-author/s:
Rita Blasi, e-Watts Technologies SL.
The production of large amounts of water by the oil industry presents urgent operational and environmental problems, especially in water-limited areas like the Arabian Gulf. Conventional water treatment techniques are frequently energy-intensive and economically. Produced water (PW) is the main waste stream in the oil and gas sector.
The coexistence of intensive oil production with Kuwait’s arid climate and high salinity levels presents significant sustainability challenges. This study investigates the viability of using bio-electrochemical systems (BES) as a sustainable, low-energy substitute for generated water management in Kuwait's oil industry. A BES is a technology that combines microbial activity with electrochemical processes to treat wastewater and generate electricity simultaneously. Due to the complicated composition and high salinity of the water produced by Kuwait's oil and gas operations, this study suggests a hybrid treatment strategy that combines granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption with degradation based on the BES. By pre-treating and lowering the organic and hydrocarbon load, the adsorption process improves the effectiveness and permanence of thetreatment process. This integrated approach offers a novel and promising approach to sustainable produced water management in dry, energy-constrained oilfield situations by utilizing the advantages of both physical pollution removal through GAC and the energy-efficient, electroactive biodegradation capabilities of BES. Results are expected to demonstrate the potential of BES in addressing high-salinity water challenges while reducing the environmental footprint of oil operations. In addition to offering comparative benchmarks against traditional treatment technologies, the results can provide practical suggestions for scaled BES approach deployment in Kuwait.
The coexistence of intensive oil production with Kuwait’s arid climate and high salinity levels presents significant sustainability challenges. This study investigates the viability of using bio-electrochemical systems (BES) as a sustainable, low-energy substitute for generated water management in Kuwait's oil industry. A BES is a technology that combines microbial activity with electrochemical processes to treat wastewater and generate electricity simultaneously. Due to the complicated composition and high salinity of the water produced by Kuwait's oil and gas operations, this study suggests a hybrid treatment strategy that combines granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption with degradation based on the BES. By pre-treating and lowering the organic and hydrocarbon load, the adsorption process improves the effectiveness and permanence of thetreatment process. This integrated approach offers a novel and promising approach to sustainable produced water management in dry, energy-constrained oilfield situations by utilizing the advantages of both physical pollution removal through GAC and the energy-efficient, electroactive biodegradation capabilities of BES. Results are expected to demonstrate the potential of BES in addressing high-salinity water challenges while reducing the environmental footprint of oil operations. In addition to offering comparative benchmarks against traditional treatment technologies, the results can provide practical suggestions for scaled BES approach deployment in Kuwait.
China has the largest technically recoverable shale gas resource in the world and Sichuan Basin is the China's largest storage of shale gas. During the last two years, the amount of shale gas flowback water was around 10 million cubic meters in Sichuan Basin. In the next five years, there will be over 30 million cubic meters of flowback water in Sichuan. Shale gas flowback fluid generally exists severe emulsification and has high content of suspended solids due to crude oil, formation water and various chemicals present in frac fluids such as surfactants，viscosifier，clay control additives，corrosion inhibitors. It is difficult to separate oil and water and remove fine suspended particles in produced liquid. In China，the emulsified flowback water is currently regarded as hazardous waste, therefore managed strictly and disposed costly. During the last two years, the cost of disposing emulsified flowback water in Sichuan was around 11 million US dollars. A novel low-cost and environmentally friendly treatment to solve this problem has been devised by developing the efficient demulsifier and water treatment agent. It has been found that the demulsification and dehydration treatment process were improved by using these efficient chemicals. Firstly, the treatment strategy is to separate oil and water, in order to reduce the amount of emulsified flowback fluid which is hazardous waste. After demulsification, the de-oiled water with high content of suspended solids and strong stability is treated to remove colloids and particles. Lastly, the treated water can meet the requirements of internal reuse standard and be recycled for another hydraulic fracking. It was the first time to apply these novel chemicals (demulsifier and water treatment agent) and technology in Sichuan shale gas field of China. The volume of emulsified flowback water was reduced by over 25% and the cost savings of disposing emulsified flowback fluid was more than 20%. The novel technique is a very promising treatment for emulsified shale gas flowback fluid. With this attractive technology, high economic benefits could be achieved and environmental pollution problem could be solved successfully when compared to conventional disposal of emulsified flowback fluid.
Ensuring the reliability and efficiency of energy infrastructure is a foundational element in advancing a secure, inclusive, and sustainable energy future. This abstract presents a strategic approach to Turnaround and Inspection (T&I) optimization implemented by Saudi Aramco’s Seawater Injection Maintenance Department (SWIMD), demonstrating how operational excellence in asset management contributes to the broader global energy transition.
SWIMD oversees critical facilities including treatment modules, SO₂ plants, and surge tanks that are essential for continuous oil production. These systems are complex, with long-serving assets, and among the largest of their kind globally, requiring robust T&I programs to maintain mechanical integrity and operational resilience. However, inconsistencies in execution timelines and recurring equipment failures due to corrosion posed persistent operational challenges.
To address these, SWIMD launched a multi-phase initiative focused on planning efficiency, process standardization, and technological innovation. A restructured T&I execution model improved coordination and control, supported by digital dashboards, progress tracking, and early engagement with technical experts. Field execution was further enhanced through dedicated coordination teams and real-time reporting mechanisms.
A key pillar of the strategy involved mitigating corrosion through the deployment of nonmetallic materials, such as fiber-reinforced piping and fully nonmetallic tanks. These materials extended asset life, reduced maintenance frequency, and led to significant reductions in both T&I scope and cost.
The integration of advanced technologies such as drones, robotic blasting units, and digital reporting tools further improved safety and efficiency. These innovations not only enhanced operational outcomes but also supported workforce well-being and environmental stewardship.
The results have been impactful: Average T&I durations reduced significantly, compliance strengthened, and performance metrics across safety, cost, and schedule consistently improved. These outcomes reflect a model of continuous improvement aligned with the principles of sustainability and operational excellence.
By sharing this experience, the abstract contributes to the theme Pathways to an Energy Future for All, illustrating how strategic asset management and innovation can support reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible energy systems worldwide.
SWIMD oversees critical facilities including treatment modules, SO₂ plants, and surge tanks that are essential for continuous oil production. These systems are complex, with long-serving assets, and among the largest of their kind globally, requiring robust T&I programs to maintain mechanical integrity and operational resilience. However, inconsistencies in execution timelines and recurring equipment failures due to corrosion posed persistent operational challenges.
To address these, SWIMD launched a multi-phase initiative focused on planning efficiency, process standardization, and technological innovation. A restructured T&I execution model improved coordination and control, supported by digital dashboards, progress tracking, and early engagement with technical experts. Field execution was further enhanced through dedicated coordination teams and real-time reporting mechanisms.
A key pillar of the strategy involved mitigating corrosion through the deployment of nonmetallic materials, such as fiber-reinforced piping and fully nonmetallic tanks. These materials extended asset life, reduced maintenance frequency, and led to significant reductions in both T&I scope and cost.
The integration of advanced technologies such as drones, robotic blasting units, and digital reporting tools further improved safety and efficiency. These innovations not only enhanced operational outcomes but also supported workforce well-being and environmental stewardship.
The results have been impactful: Average T&I durations reduced significantly, compliance strengthened, and performance metrics across safety, cost, and schedule consistently improved. These outcomes reflect a model of continuous improvement aligned with the principles of sustainability and operational excellence.
By sharing this experience, the abstract contributes to the theme Pathways to an Energy Future for All, illustrating how strategic asset management and innovation can support reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible energy systems worldwide.
The sustainable management of water presents a critical challenge for the energy industry, necessitating treatment technologies that offer both high operational efficiency and a minimal environmental footprint. This study evaluates Capacitive Deionization (CDI) as an electrochemical desalination technology capable of enhancing the sustainability of water treatment operations, particularly by minimizing chemical consumption. The research evaluates the performance of CDI systems for treating water, focusing on their energy consumption, water recovery, and overall environmental advantages compared to conventional methods like thermal and membrane-based desalination. Unlike thermal and membrane-based desalination processes, CDI operates at low pressures and temperatures, significantly reducing energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. The investigation leverages data from pilot-scale CDI installations to demonstrate the technology's efficacy. This study showcases the latest breakthroughs in CDI technology, including developing advanced materials, including redox-active materials and novel cell architectures, that promise to further enhance performance and reduce costs. The study's findings confirm that advanced carbon electrode materials and optimized cell designs enable CDI systems to consistently meet water quality standards for discharge and potential reuse. This work concludes that the inherent mechanism of CDI (electrosorption of ions) avoids the need for high-pressure pumps and extensive chemical pre-treatment, thereby reducing operational complexity, cost, and environmental impacts. The evidence presented indicates that Capacitive Deionization is a viable and robust technology that can enhance the sustainability of water management within the energy sector, aligning with industry goals for greater efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
The production of large amounts of water by the oil industry presents urgent operational and environmental problems, especially in water-limited areas like the Arabian Gulf. Conventional water treatment techniques are frequently energy-intensive and economically. Produced water (PW) is the main waste stream in the oil and gas sector.
The coexistence of intensive oil production with Kuwait’s arid climate and high salinity levels presents significant sustainability challenges. This study investigates the viability of using bio-electrochemical systems (BES) as a sustainable, low-energy substitute for generated water management in Kuwait's oil industry. A BES is a technology that combines microbial activity with electrochemical processes to treat wastewater and generate electricity simultaneously. Due to the complicated composition and high salinity of the water produced by Kuwait's oil and gas operations, this study suggests a hybrid treatment strategy that combines granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption with degradation based on the BES. By pre-treating and lowering the organic and hydrocarbon load, the adsorption process improves the effectiveness and permanence of thetreatment process. This integrated approach offers a novel and promising approach to sustainable produced water management in dry, energy-constrained oilfield situations by utilizing the advantages of both physical pollution removal through GAC and the energy-efficient, electroactive biodegradation capabilities of BES. Results are expected to demonstrate the potential of BES in addressing high-salinity water challenges while reducing the environmental footprint of oil operations. In addition to offering comparative benchmarks against traditional treatment technologies, the results can provide practical suggestions for scaled BES approach deployment in Kuwait.
The coexistence of intensive oil production with Kuwait’s arid climate and high salinity levels presents significant sustainability challenges. This study investigates the viability of using bio-electrochemical systems (BES) as a sustainable, low-energy substitute for generated water management in Kuwait's oil industry. A BES is a technology that combines microbial activity with electrochemical processes to treat wastewater and generate electricity simultaneously. Due to the complicated composition and high salinity of the water produced by Kuwait's oil and gas operations, this study suggests a hybrid treatment strategy that combines granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption with degradation based on the BES. By pre-treating and lowering the organic and hydrocarbon load, the adsorption process improves the effectiveness and permanence of thetreatment process. This integrated approach offers a novel and promising approach to sustainable produced water management in dry, energy-constrained oilfield situations by utilizing the advantages of both physical pollution removal through GAC and the energy-efficient, electroactive biodegradation capabilities of BES. Results are expected to demonstrate the potential of BES in addressing high-salinity water challenges while reducing the environmental footprint of oil operations. In addition to offering comparative benchmarks against traditional treatment technologies, the results can provide practical suggestions for scaled BES approach deployment in Kuwait.
Ensuring the reliability and efficiency of energy infrastructure is a foundational element in advancing a secure, inclusive, and sustainable energy future. This abstract presents a strategic approach to Turnaround and Inspection (T&I) optimization implemented by Saudi Aramco’s Seawater Injection Maintenance Department (SWIMD), demonstrating how operational excellence in asset management contributes to the broader global energy transition.
SWIMD oversees critical facilities including treatment modules, SO₂ plants, and surge tanks that are essential for continuous oil production. These systems are complex, with long-serving assets, and among the largest of their kind globally, requiring robust T&I programs to maintain mechanical integrity and operational resilience. However, inconsistencies in execution timelines and recurring equipment failures due to corrosion posed persistent operational challenges.
To address these, SWIMD launched a multi-phase initiative focused on planning efficiency, process standardization, and technological innovation. A restructured T&I execution model improved coordination and control, supported by digital dashboards, progress tracking, and early engagement with technical experts. Field execution was further enhanced through dedicated coordination teams and real-time reporting mechanisms.
A key pillar of the strategy involved mitigating corrosion through the deployment of nonmetallic materials, such as fiber-reinforced piping and fully nonmetallic tanks. These materials extended asset life, reduced maintenance frequency, and led to significant reductions in both T&I scope and cost.
The integration of advanced technologies such as drones, robotic blasting units, and digital reporting tools further improved safety and efficiency. These innovations not only enhanced operational outcomes but also supported workforce well-being and environmental stewardship.
The results have been impactful: Average T&I durations reduced significantly, compliance strengthened, and performance metrics across safety, cost, and schedule consistently improved. These outcomes reflect a model of continuous improvement aligned with the principles of sustainability and operational excellence.
By sharing this experience, the abstract contributes to the theme Pathways to an Energy Future for All, illustrating how strategic asset management and innovation can support reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible energy systems worldwide.
SWIMD oversees critical facilities including treatment modules, SO₂ plants, and surge tanks that are essential for continuous oil production. These systems are complex, with long-serving assets, and among the largest of their kind globally, requiring robust T&I programs to maintain mechanical integrity and operational resilience. However, inconsistencies in execution timelines and recurring equipment failures due to corrosion posed persistent operational challenges.
To address these, SWIMD launched a multi-phase initiative focused on planning efficiency, process standardization, and technological innovation. A restructured T&I execution model improved coordination and control, supported by digital dashboards, progress tracking, and early engagement with technical experts. Field execution was further enhanced through dedicated coordination teams and real-time reporting mechanisms.
A key pillar of the strategy involved mitigating corrosion through the deployment of nonmetallic materials, such as fiber-reinforced piping and fully nonmetallic tanks. These materials extended asset life, reduced maintenance frequency, and led to significant reductions in both T&I scope and cost.
The integration of advanced technologies such as drones, robotic blasting units, and digital reporting tools further improved safety and efficiency. These innovations not only enhanced operational outcomes but also supported workforce well-being and environmental stewardship.
The results have been impactful: Average T&I durations reduced significantly, compliance strengthened, and performance metrics across safety, cost, and schedule consistently improved. These outcomes reflect a model of continuous improvement aligned with the principles of sustainability and operational excellence.
By sharing this experience, the abstract contributes to the theme Pathways to an Energy Future for All, illustrating how strategic asset management and innovation can support reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible energy systems worldwide.
Desalination plants in the Arabian Gulf and other arid regions face significant challenges in terms of efficiency and productivity. Currently, Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems achieve permeate yields of approximately 30–35%, limiting their effectiveness in meeting growing water demands. Simultaneously, there is an increasing global focus on integrating sustainable energy sources into industrial processes.
This study presents a novel Electrochemical Desalination Pretreatment (EDP) technology, developed by E-Watts Technologies (patent pending), aimed at enhancing the performance of existing RO desalination plants. The EDP process has been tested in over 25 lab pilot-scale trials, demonstrating improvements in RO productivity of 45–50%, reaching permeate recovery rates between 50–80%. Additionally, fouling rates were reduced by over 94%, consumption of anti-scaling agents decreased by approximately 80%, and bicarbonate/carbonate concentrations and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) were reduced by more than 94% and 90%, respectively.
An additional feature of the EDP system is its capacity to enable the cogeneration of green hydrogen. For a desalination facility with a capacity of 1,000,000 m³/day, hydrogen production is estimated at 3,000–4,000 tonnes per year. The integration of EDP not only improves water treatment performance but also reduces environmental impact by lowering chemical reagent use, concentrate discharge volumes, and reliance on new infrastructure such as marine outfalls.
The implementation of EDP has the potential to optimize existing desalination infrastructure, reduce operating expenses (OPEX), and transform desalination plants into dual-purpose facilities capable of both freshwater and green hydrogen production. The estimated payback period for the technology is 1.5 years. EDP thus offers a unified solution to two critical global challenges: enhancing desalination efficiency and enabling sustainable hydrogen generation from seawater.
Co-author/s:
Rita Blasi, e-Watts Technologies SL.
This study presents a novel Electrochemical Desalination Pretreatment (EDP) technology, developed by E-Watts Technologies (patent pending), aimed at enhancing the performance of existing RO desalination plants. The EDP process has been tested in over 25 lab pilot-scale trials, demonstrating improvements in RO productivity of 45–50%, reaching permeate recovery rates between 50–80%. Additionally, fouling rates were reduced by over 94%, consumption of anti-scaling agents decreased by approximately 80%, and bicarbonate/carbonate concentrations and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) were reduced by more than 94% and 90%, respectively.
An additional feature of the EDP system is its capacity to enable the cogeneration of green hydrogen. For a desalination facility with a capacity of 1,000,000 m³/day, hydrogen production is estimated at 3,000–4,000 tonnes per year. The integration of EDP not only improves water treatment performance but also reduces environmental impact by lowering chemical reagent use, concentrate discharge volumes, and reliance on new infrastructure such as marine outfalls.
The implementation of EDP has the potential to optimize existing desalination infrastructure, reduce operating expenses (OPEX), and transform desalination plants into dual-purpose facilities capable of both freshwater and green hydrogen production. The estimated payback period for the technology is 1.5 years. EDP thus offers a unified solution to two critical global challenges: enhancing desalination efficiency and enabling sustainable hydrogen generation from seawater.
Co-author/s:
Rita Blasi, e-Watts Technologies SL.
Reza Khoshbouy
Speaker
Associate Professor
Green Carbon Research Center, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Sahand University of Technology
Iran
The sustainable management of water presents a critical challenge for the energy industry, necessitating treatment technologies that offer both high operational efficiency and a minimal environmental footprint. This study evaluates Capacitive Deionization (CDI) as an electrochemical desalination technology capable of enhancing the sustainability of water treatment operations, particularly by minimizing chemical consumption. The research evaluates the performance of CDI systems for treating water, focusing on their energy consumption, water recovery, and overall environmental advantages compared to conventional methods like thermal and membrane-based desalination. Unlike thermal and membrane-based desalination processes, CDI operates at low pressures and temperatures, significantly reducing energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. The investigation leverages data from pilot-scale CDI installations to demonstrate the technology's efficacy. This study showcases the latest breakthroughs in CDI technology, including developing advanced materials, including redox-active materials and novel cell architectures, that promise to further enhance performance and reduce costs. The study's findings confirm that advanced carbon electrode materials and optimized cell designs enable CDI systems to consistently meet water quality standards for discharge and potential reuse. This work concludes that the inherent mechanism of CDI (electrosorption of ions) avoids the need for high-pressure pumps and extensive chemical pre-treatment, thereby reducing operational complexity, cost, and environmental impacts. The evidence presented indicates that Capacitive Deionization is a viable and robust technology that can enhance the sustainability of water management within the energy sector, aligning with industry goals for greater efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
Jie Yang
Speaker
Senior Engineer
Safety, Environment, and Technology Supervision Research Institute of Petrochina Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company
China
China has the largest technically recoverable shale gas resource in the world and Sichuan Basin is the China's largest storage of shale gas. During the last two years, the amount of shale gas flowback water was around 10 million cubic meters in Sichuan Basin. In the next five years, there will be over 30 million cubic meters of flowback water in Sichuan. Shale gas flowback fluid generally exists severe emulsification and has high content of suspended solids due to crude oil, formation water and various chemicals present in frac fluids such as surfactants，viscosifier，clay control additives，corrosion inhibitors. It is difficult to separate oil and water and remove fine suspended particles in produced liquid. In China，the emulsified flowback water is currently regarded as hazardous waste, therefore managed strictly and disposed costly. During the last two years, the cost of disposing emulsified flowback water in Sichuan was around 11 million US dollars. A novel low-cost and environmentally friendly treatment to solve this problem has been devised by developing the efficient demulsifier and water treatment agent. It has been found that the demulsification and dehydration treatment process were improved by using these efficient chemicals. Firstly, the treatment strategy is to separate oil and water, in order to reduce the amount of emulsified flowback fluid which is hazardous waste. After demulsification, the de-oiled water with high content of suspended solids and strong stability is treated to remove colloids and particles. Lastly, the treated water can meet the requirements of internal reuse standard and be recycled for another hydraulic fracking. It was the first time to apply these novel chemicals (demulsifier and water treatment agent) and technology in Sichuan shale gas field of China. The volume of emulsified flowback water was reduced by over 25% and the cost savings of disposing emulsified flowback fluid was more than 20%. The novel technique is a very promising treatment for emulsified shale gas flowback fluid. With this attractive technology, high economic benefits could be achieved and environmental pollution problem could be solved successfully when compared to conventional disposal of emulsified flowback fluid.
