Ken Fairchild, Basic Energy Services
The presentation opens by highlighting the Industry’s responsibility for environmentally safe water disposal, then discusses the pros and cons of Vendor Owned / Managed versus Company Owned / Operated water systems. Design considerations for the holistic water management system are as follows:
• System Capacity and Layout : Evaluate not only current needs, but future needs. Design for the “worst” case scenario, by building the system above current volumes and determine what expansion will be required for the future drilling program.
• Pipeline Material and Sizing : Factors to consider are cost to buy and install, operating pressures, surface injection pressures, water corrosiveness, and environmental concerns.
• Pit Sizing and Construction : Define goals / needs with respect to water quality and total volumes.
• Pump Selection & Other Equipment : Determine which type and size of pump is needed for the specific application, and where to install ESD valves, BPV’s and check valves.
• Settling Time & Tank Storage Volumes : Design for projected field volumes and the potential injection downtime, water quality and oil-carryover in produced water.
• Water Compatibility, Scale, & Chemicals : Analyze and understand water scaling tendencies and/or compatibilities of the produced water, fresh water, and vendor’s fracking chemicals.