Pilot Study Results to Convert Oil Field Produced Water to Drinking Water or Reuse Quality

The project goal is to convert a currently unusable by-product of oil production, produced water, into a valuable drinking water resource. Results from a 10 gpm pilot study were used for a conceptual design and cost estimate for a 44,000 bpd treatment facility. Generally, the pilot study demonstrated that by altering operating conditions, the treated water could meet industrial, irrigation, and drinking water quality standards. Four scenarios were evaluated, 2 industrial and one each for irrigation and drinking water. The total project cost estimates, with an accuracy of approximately -15 to +30 percent, ranged in capital cost from $3.1 to $12.3 million with an O&M cost ranging from 4.5-23.4 c/bbl of water treated.