HYBRID BIOPHYSICAL MEMBRANE TREATMENT SYSTEMS FOR SUSTAINABLE WATER REUSE IN THE OG INDUSTRY

摘要

Development of unconventional oil and gas (O&G) resources through hydraulic fracturing has surged in recent years, leading to energy independence of the US. Increased O&G production, coupled with geopolitical unrest in O&G producing countries around the world, has led to a steady decline in oil prices, resulting in reduced investment in research and development of innovative water management techniques (i.e., recycling and reuse). Yet, potential new regulations that limit deep-well injection and expected increase in fresh water demand and cost are intensifying competition to develop sustainable and efficient strategies for O&G wastewater treatment and reuse. Furthermore, due to drastic reductions in new drilling activity, reuse of produced water (PW) and fracturing flowback (FFB) within the oilfield will be minimized, and the PW volumes generated might exceed the water demanded for well development. To accommodate this shift, reuse applications are expanding to include discharge to surface water (rivers and lakes), groundwater augmentation, and irrigation, requiring robust, multi-barrier treatment approaches.