## Thirst Quenched? TETRA Technologies Teams Up to Bring Desalination to the Permian Basin
The Permian Basin, a land synonymous with oil and gas, faces a growing thirst. Water, once abundant, is becoming increasingly precious as production booms. But what if the answer to this arid region’s water woes could be found in the very source that fuels its economy? TETRA Technologies, a leading provider of water solutions for the oil and gas industry, is taking a bold step, partnering with energy giant EOG Resources to pilot a groundbreaking desalination project in the heart of the Permian. This innovative approach could rewrite the rules of water management in the region, transforming the landscape of energy production and potentially offering a glimpse into the future of sustainable water solutions.
Practical Applications and Implications
Desalination Pilot with EOG Resources: A Collaborative Effort
The desalination pilot project launched by TETRA Technologies with EOG Resources marks a significant step towards a more sustainable future in the oil and gas industry. This collaborative effort aims to develop and deploy innovative solutions for produced water desalination, addressing the growing need for sustainable water management practices. As Unionjournalism previously reported, the oil and gas industry is facing increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, and water management is a critical aspect of this effort.
The pilot project with EOG Resources is particularly noteworthy, as it seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of desalination technology in treating produced water from oil and gas operations. According to TETRA Technologies, the Permian Basin is at the forefront of the oil and gas industry’s water management challenge, with an annual production of 8.7 billion barrels of water in 2024. However, only 1.6 billion barrels are currently treated for frac reuse, with the majority being disposed of through injection. This highlights the need for innovative solutions that can transform produced water into a valuable resource.
The lessons learned from this pilot project will be crucial in informing the development of reliable and robust produced water desalination solutions. As TETRA Technologies’ Director of Business Development, Jon Malone, noted during a panel discussion at the 35th Produced Water Society Conference, operational execution is key to deploying effective desalination solutions. Malone emphasized the importance of understanding the variable nature of produced water and developing solutions that can address these challenges.
The Role of Technology and Investment in Water Management
The role of technology and investment in water management cannot be overstated. As the oil and gas industry continues to grapple with the challenges of produced water management, innovative solutions are needed to transform what is currently deemed a waste into a valuable resource. TETRA Technologies’ TETRA Oasis Total Desalination Solution (TDS) is an example of such a solution, offering an end-to-end approach to desalination that addresses the variable nature of produced water.
During the panel discussion, Malone highlighted the importance of investment in water management, noting that it is a key to growth and sustainability in the oil and gas industry. He emphasized that deploying reliable and robust produced water desalination solutions requires significant investment in technology and infrastructure. However, the benefits of such investment can be substantial, including reduced environmental impacts, improved operational efficiency, and increased resource recovery.
The following are some key insights from the panel discussion:
- The oil and gas industry is facing significant water management challenges, particularly in the Permian Basin, where produced water volumes are high and disposal options are limited.
- Desalination technology offers a promising solution for produced water management, but it requires significant investment in technology and infrastructure.
- Operational execution is critical to deploying effective desalination solutions, and understanding the variable nature of produced water is essential to developing reliable and robust solutions.
- Investment in water management is a key to growth and sustainability in the oil and gas industry, and can have significant benefits for the environment, operations, and resource recovery.
- Variable produced water quality: Produced water from oil and gas operations can have highly variable quality, making it challenging to develop reliable and robust desalination solutions.
- Treatment complexities: Produced water treatment requires specialized technologies and expertise, and can be complex and costly.
- Environmental impacts: Produced water disposal can have significant environmental impacts, including contamination of surface and groundwater sources.
- Resource recovery: Desalination offers opportunities for resource recovery, including the extraction of critical minerals and the production of fresh water for beneficial reuse.
Challenges and Opportunities: A Call to Action
The challenges of desalination are significant, particularly when it comes to treating produced water from oil and gas operations. The variable nature of produced water, combined with treatment complexities, can make it difficult to develop reliable and robust desalination solutions. However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation and growth.
As TETRA Technologies’ President and CEO, Brady Murphy, noted during his keynote presentation at the 35th Produced Water Society Conference, transforming produced water into a valuable resource requires a collaborative effort between industry stakeholders, technology providers, and regulatory bodies. Murphy emphasized the need for sustainable solutions that can address the environmental, social, and economic impacts of produced water management.
The following are some key challenges and opportunities in desalination:
Beneficial Reuse of Treated Water and Mineral Extraction
Practical Applications of Desalination Technology
Desalination technology has numerous practical applications in the oil and gas industry, particularly when it comes to beneficial reuse of treated water and mineral extraction. TETRA Technologies’ TETRA Oasis TDS is an example of a solution that can address the variable nature of produced water and deliver water that can be used in a variety of beneficial reuse applications.
According to TETRA Technologies, the Permian Basin is an ideal location for deploying desalination technology, given the high volumes of produced water generated by oil and gas operations in the region. The company’s experience in treating water for frac reuse has led to significant advances in desalination technology, with a record 800,000 bbls/day in Q4 2024.
However, as TETRA Technologies’ President and CEO, Brady Murphy, noted during his keynote presentation, this only scratches the surface of the disposal volume issue. The company is exploring new opportunities for beneficial reuse of treated water, including the production of fresh water for irrigation, drinking water, and other industrial applications.
Mineral Extraction and Resource Recovery
Mineral extraction and resource recovery are critical aspects of desalination technology, particularly when it comes to produced water from oil and gas operations. TETRA Technologies is exploring the extraction of critical minerals from produced water, including lithium, uranium, and other valuable resources.
The following are some key benefits of mineral extraction and resource recovery:
- Environmental protection: Mineral extraction and resource recovery can help reduce the environmental impacts of produced water disposal, including contamination of surface and groundwater sources.
- Resource conservation: Desalination technology can help conserve freshwater resources, reducing the need for potable water in industrial applications.
- Economic benefits: Mineral extraction and resource recovery can generate significant economic benefits, including the creation of new jobs and revenue streams.
- Sustainability: Desalination technology can help promote sustainability in the oil and gas industry, reducing the environmental footprint of operations and promoting more efficient use of resources.
As the oil and gas industry continues to evolve, desalination technology is likely to play an increasingly important role in promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impacts. Unionjournalism will continue to provide updates on the latest developments in desalination technology and its applications in the oil and gas industry.
Conclusion
TETRA Technologies Launches Desalination Pilot with EOG Resources: A Game-Changer for the Future of Water
In a significant breakthrough, TETRA Technologies has successfully launched a desalination pilot project with EOG Resources, marking a crucial step towards harnessing the power of desalination for the world’s growing water demands. This innovative partnership aims to provide a sustainable solution for providing clean drinking water to millions of people worldwide, particularly in regions prone to drought and water scarcity.
The desalination pilot, which is set to begin operational in the near future, will utilize TETRA’s patented membrane technology to remove salt and other minerals from seawater, producing fresh water with a purity level rivaling that of bottled water. This technology has the potential to not only alleviate water scarcity but also reduce the strain on traditional water sources, making it an attractive solution for communities facing water crises. Moreover, the desalination process can also help to mitigate the impacts of climate change by providing a reliable source of water for agriculture, industry, and human consumption.
As the world grapples with the challenges of water scarcity and climate change, the TETRA-EOG desalination pilot represents a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable and reliable water solutions. It serves as a testament to the power of innovation and cooperation in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. As we look to the future, it is clear that the TETRA-EOG desalination pilot will have far-reaching implications, from transforming the lives of communities to shaping the global water landscape. The question on everyone’s mind now is: what’s next for this groundbreaking partnership? One thing is certain – the journey towards a more water-secure future has just begun.