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This study created a framework for assessing the spatial and temporal distribution of the supply and demand of four potential produced water (PW) reuse options: agriculture, dust suppression, power generation, and river flow augmentation using Eddy and Lea counties in the southeastern New Mexico Permian Basin as a case study. Improving the PW management in the oil and gas industry is important in areas with limited water resources and increasing restrictions on PW disposal. One option in the PW management portfolio is fit-for-purpose reuse, but a lack of adequate information on PW quality, volumes, and the spatiotemporal distribution of PW supply and demand precludes its reuse. Using the framework, we determined that a 1.1-mile grid cell for data aggregation is a sufficient spatial scale for capturing the granular data needed for PW management decisions. The annual available PW supply for the two counties was estimated to be 45,460,875 m3 (36,870 acre-feet). The annual cumulative estimated demand was 647,656,261 m3 (525,064 acre-feet) for the four potential use cases—far exceeding PW supply. The maps generated using the framework illustrated that much of the supply and demand are spatially dispersed. The spatiotemporal analysis framework provides a generic methodology that can be used for PW management in other basins or for assessing alternative waters at the local and regional scales where management occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Produced water is the largest volume of waste product generated during oil and natural gas exploration and production. The traditional method to dispose of produced water involves deep well injection, but this option is becoming more challenging due to high operational cost, limited disposal capacity, and more stringent regulations. Meanwhile, large volumes of freshwater are used for hydraulic fracturing. The goal of this study is to develop cost-effective technologies, and optimize system design and operation to treat highly saline produced water (120–140 g/L total dissolved solids) for hydraulic fracturing. Produced water was collected from a salt water disposal facility in the Permian Basin, New Mexico. Chemical coagulation (CC) using ferric chloride and aluminum sulfate as coagulants was compared with electrocoagulation (EC) with aluminum electrodes for removal of suspended contaminants. The effects of coagulant dose, current density, and hydraulic retention time during EC on turbidity removal were investigated. Experimental results showed that aluminum sulfate was more efficient and cost-effective than ferric chloride for removing turbidity from produced water. The optimal aluminum dose was achieved at operating current density of 6.60 mA/cm2 and 12 min contact time during EC treatment, which resulted in 74% removal of suspended solids and 53–78% removal of total organic carbon (TOC). The energy requirement of EC was calculated 0.36 kWh/m3 of water treated. The total operating cost of EC was estimated $0.44/m3 of treated water, which is 1.7 or 1.2 times higher than CC using alum or ferric chloride as the coagulant, respectively. The EC operating cost was primarily associated with the consumption of aluminum electrode materials due to faradaic reactions and electrodes corrosions. EC has the advantage of shorter retention time, in situ production of coagulants, less sludge generation, and high mobility for onsite produced water treatment. The fine particles and other contaminants after coagulation were further treated in continuous-flow columns packed with different filter media, including agricultural waste products (pecan shell, walnut shell, and biochar), and new and spent granular activated carbon (GAC). Turbidity, TOC, metals, and electrical conductivity were monitored to evaluate the performance of the treatment system and the adsorption capacities of different media. Biochar and GAC showed the greatest removal of turbidity and TOC in produced water. These treatment technologies were demonstrated to be effective for the removal of suspended constituents and iron, and to produce a clean brine for onsite reuse, such as hydraulic fracturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a theoretical model to simulate the temperatures and productivity of a single-slope, single-basin solar still when an external solar enhancement is used. Experiments were performed in the New Mexico region (32.3199° N, 106.7637° W) to validate the numerical model. A point focusing Fresnel lens was used in the experiments to enhance the solar input. It was found that a significant rise in the productivity of the still was achieved with the Fresnel lens. Parametric study by varying the water depth showed the Fresnel lens was more effective for larger water depths. In addition, the Fresnel lens can aid in improving the overall efficiency of the solar still. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thorough understanding of produced water (PW) quality is critical to advance the knowledge and tools for effective PW management, treatment, risk assessment, and feasibility for beneficial reuse outside the oil and gas industry. This study provides the first step to better understand PW quality to develop beneficial reuse programs that are protective of human health and the environment. In total, 46 PW samples from unconventional operations in the Permian Basin and ten surface water samples from the Pecos River in New Mexico were collected for quantitative target analyses of more than 300 constituents. Water quality analyses of Pecos River samples could provide context and baseline information for the potential discharge and reuse of treated PW in this area. Temporal PW and river water quality changes were monitored for eight months in 2020. PW samples had total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations ranging from 100,800–201,500 mg/L. Various mineral salts, metals, oil and grease, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, radionuclides, ammonia, hydraulic fracturing additives, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances were detected at different concentrations. Chemical characterization of organic compounds found in Pecos River water showed no evidence of PW origin. Isometric log-ratio Na-Cl-Br analysis showed the salinity in the Pecos River samples appeared to be linked to an increase in natural shallow brine inputs. This study outlines baseline analytical information to advance PW research by describing PW and surrounding surface water quality in the Permian Basin that will assist in determining management strategies, treatment methods, potential beneficial reuse applications, and potential environmental impacts specific to intended beneficial use of treated PW. [Display omitted] • Comprehensive analyses of produced water (PW) quality in the Permian Basin. • Temporal characterization of PW and river water quality in the Permian Basin. • Quantitatively analyzed > 300 analytes for organics, inorganics, and radionuclides. • Provide baseline analytical information to advance PW research for potential reuse. • Filled knowledge gap regarding PW quality to support science-based decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]