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Reuse of Flowback Water from Hydraulic Fracturing for Drilling Mud Preparation and Secondary Hydrocarbon Recovery

Author

Listed:
  • Ewa Knapik

    (Faculty of Drilling, Oil and Gas, AGH University of Science and Technology, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Katarzyna Chruszcz-Lipska

    (Faculty of Drilling, Oil and Gas, AGH University of Science and Technology, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Łukasz Łukańko

    (Faculty of Drilling, Oil and Gas, AGH University of Science and Technology, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Sławomir Wysocki

    (Faculty of Drilling, Oil and Gas, AGH University of Science and Technology, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

Abstract

Flowback water after completion of hydraulic fracturing is one of major waste streams generated during the lifespan of a well so its beneficial reuse is crucial. The application of treated flowback is not limited to stimulation processes but also may include drilling operations and secondary oil recovery. The flowback water used in this work is characterized by high salinity reaching up to ~295 g/L caused mainly by NaCl. The presence of suspended solids, mainly corrosion products, prompts the use of coagulation and filtration as treatment methods. Among tested coagulants the most effective one was the SAX18 (NaAlO 2 ) commercial coagulant applied at concentration of 12 mL/L which reduces the water turbidity from over 400 FTU to 23 FTU. The applied treatment greatly reduces the concentration of scaling ions and so the concentration of SiO 2 is reduced by 64%, Ba 2+ –66%, Fe 2 –36%, Mn 2+ –65%, SO 4 2− –66%. The treated flowback fluid can be reused in surfactant flooding for enhanced oil recovery where achieves 7% higher displacing efficiency than fresh water. The drilling muds which were prepared using the untreated flowback water exhibit good rheological properties. The obtained results show that recycling of flowback water in future drilling and exploitation operations is technically feasible.

Suggested Citation

  • Ewa Knapik & Katarzyna Chruszcz-Lipska & Łukasz Łukańko & Sławomir Wysocki, 2021. "Reuse of Flowback Water from Hydraulic Fracturing for Drilling Mud Preparation and Secondary Hydrocarbon Recovery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-22, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:18:p:5921-:d:638044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hannibal, Bryce & Portney, Kent, 2020. "The impact of water scarcity on support for hydraulic fracturing regulation: A water-energy nexus study," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    2. Kar, Aritra & Bahadur, Vaibhav, 2020. "Using excess natural gas for reverse osmosis-based flowback water treatment in US shale fields," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Ewa Knapik & Grzegorz Rotko & Marta Marszałek, 2023. "Recovery of Lithium from Oilfield Brines—Current Achievements and Future Perspectives: A Mini Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-28, September.

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