TREATMENT OF OIL-FIELD PRODUCED WATER FOR IMPROVED WASTE MANAGEMENT

Produced water is water brought to the surface simultaneously with oil and gas during their production. In the U.S., several hundred billion gallons of produced water are generated yearly. Given the large volum e of this material and the growing concern for subsurface disposal tec hniques, alternative treatment and/or disposal methods are needed. Thi s article investigated the distillation of produced water as an altern ative treatment technology. Also, additional information was acquired on the nature of produced water contaminants and contaminant concentra tions. Produced water samples from the Eumont Hardy Waterflood near Ho bbs, New Mexico, have been collected and analyzed.