Paper: Robert D. Kiker and Rodney R. Reynolds, Petroleum Technology Transfer Council

The largest volume waste stream associated with oil and gas production is produced water. Independent operators have identified produced water as a major constraint in the production of hydrocarbons. The costs of lifting, separating, handling, treating and disposing of this water are substantial. In addition to the economic burden it imposes, water can also directly reduce hydrocarbon production. With these thoughts in mind and as partial fulfillment of a Dept. of Energy contact, the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (PTTC) developed a manual to assist independent operators in dealing with produced water. The manual addresses different technologies used for different water production issues operators face throughout the life cycle of a well. This paper will provide an overview of the information contained in the manual, including case studies of technologies operators are using to reduce water production and successful operating practices to reduce lifting costs associated with handling produced water.