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Devon Energy Corp. holds that standard dear, using recycled water from previously completed wells to fracture-treat one out of every 10 additional wells it drills in the Barnett Shale natural gas field.
This week, Devon announced that its request to expand its water recycling program received a nod of approval from the Texas Railroad Commission -- the board that regulates the energy industry in the Lone Star state.
Officials said a third pilot program to treat water should be operational next month. Output of recycled water should jump from about 15,000 barrels a day to about 23,000 barrels a day, they said.
"That will keep us from having to use that much fresh water to treat our wells," said Jay Ewing, a completion and construction supervisor for Devon in the Barnett Shale.
How the process works
Frac fluid -- a mixture of water and sand used to fracture shale rock well bores -- is captured at the well head after its treatment, then taken to recycling centers for treatment.
About 70 percent of what goes into existing water recycling processes operated by Devon comes out as water that's ready to use again. The now-operating units are producing 588,888 gallons of distilled water -- about 14,000 barrels -- every day.
Devon's existing water treatment operations in the field, in south, west and north parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, area, use distillation to purify the water.
Those operations, run at nine different plants by a Canadian company called Aqua-Pure Ventures, filter out polymers from the water and then send it to evaporators that turn the liquid into steam.
Making water recycling a priority
Condensers return the steam to a distilled liquid, which then goes to a holding tank where it can be picked up by well fracture crews as they go to new jobs.
The water comes out clear because the minerals were removed through distillation, said Jacob Halldorson, chief executive officer of Aqua-Pure.
During a tour earlier this year, Halldorson offered the distilled water to reporters to drink.
"Here it is, crystal clear," he said, holding a beaker full.
"But you don't want to drink too much. It actually will suck the calcium out of your bones if you do."
This latest project, which will be operated by Ecosphere Technologies of Stuart, Fla., will use reverse-osmosis to do its work.
Ewing said the plant will use a series of filters to return the water to a usable state.
"The operation will just pass the water through membranes, where impurities -- mainly chlorides -- are absorbed," he said.
Commissioner Victor Carrillo said oil and gas field waste reduction is a priority for the commission.
He, Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones and Chairman Michael L. Williams applauded Devon's efforts.
"I appreciate those companies that are proactive in researching ways to recycle and reuse frac water, as Devon is doing," Williams said.
"The operation will just pass the water through membranes, where
impurities -- mainly
chlorides -- are absorbed."
Jay Ewing, Devon Energy
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