The use of flotation technology in produced water treatment in the oil & gas industry

Abstract

Produced water quality has become an increasingly large area of concern for the oil production industry. A great deal of scientific research has been carried out to determine the consequences of long term exposure of produced water on the environment. Some of this research has given alarming results. It is reported that some of the toxic components in produced water may cause irreversible damage to the surrounding environment. Because of this potential risk, very considerable efforts are being expended by the oil companies operating in the North-East Atlantic into developing new techniques to better manage produced water. Production facilities have been re-evaluating their conventional approaches to oil removal from water due to increasing water cuts caused by the maturation of their oil wells, as well as a need for cleaner water for re-injection or disposal purposes. Over the years a variety of oil/water separation methods have been developed throughout the world, including gravity separation, corrugated plate interceptors, centrifugal separation, hydrocyclones, induced gas flotation and many other emerging technologies. With increasingly tight legislative limits on OIW (Oil in Water) discharges, it is important that oil and gas operators have an effective produced water treatment system. To meet these required limits for discharges depends largely on the choice of technology system. However, there are different technologies used for produced water treatment but this thesis takes a closer look at the various flotation technologies commonly used by many industries for produced water treatment.