What Is Produced Water?

“Produced water” is water that returns to the surface as wastewater during oil and gas production. The water typically contains hydrocarbons from the deposit as well as naturally occurring toxic substances like arsenic and radium, salts and chemical additives injected into the well to facilitate extraction. These additives include carcinogens and numerous other toxic substances […]

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Texas Eyes Marine Desalination, Oilfield Water Reuse to Sustain Rapid Growth

Texas legislators are poised to recommend designating billions of dollars in public funds for controversial water purification technologies, including marine desalination and oilfield wastewater treatment, to meet the growing demand for water across the drought-stricken state. The Texas Senate has passed  Senate Bill 28, introduced by State Sen. Charles Perry, an influential Republican from dry, […]

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Fracking Waste Gets a Second Look to Ease Looming West Texas Water Shortage

Fracked wells in West Texas don’t just produce petroleum. Much more than anything else, they spit up salty, mucky water.  Typically, companies have discarded that fluid, hundreds of millions of gallons per day, by injecting it back underground, occasionally causing small earthquakes. But as water becomes more scarce, they’re beginning to reconsider. For now, hydraulic […]

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