Chemical analysis and water treatment

With an increasing list of priorities to consider, reducing water demand is right up there. Water is paramount to the oil and gas industry, playing significant and diverse roles from initial exploration all the way through to refining and processing. Given this extensive usage, how water is managed and subsequently treated has a direct impact on the efficiency of industry operations. Once the end of the oil and gas production cycle has been reached for installation, water usage will have played a critical role in production rates, the environmental impact of operations, and asset integrity and maintenance.

Water management is even more important when considering that, for every barrel of oil produced, typically three to five barrels of water are produced (as reported by TotalEnergies). Preserving and optimising water usage across the industry is therefore essential to avoid unnecessary wastage and mitigate the potential of global water shortages over the coming decades.

Given its widespread involvement throughout operations, produced water is often exposed to harmful contaminants and chemicals that should not be put back into the environment without the proper care and attention.

Evolving government legislation, and industry regulations, have been introduced to ensure that any water discharged is properly treated and purified to avoid disposal of pollutants to the environment. Failure to comply will lead to penalty fines, and missteps in corporate governance strategy, alongside reputational and environmental damage in the communities and regions in which the business operates.

Assessment of water use within your own operations and throughout the supply chain is the necessary first step to improving produced water management.

Negative effects of improper water treatment

Alongside the financial impact of falling short of industry regulations, an unfit water treatment approach can also be disastrous for process operations. Untreated or mistreated water that features harmful bacteria or impurities can lead to corrosion, fouling, and the buildup of scale to damage equipment, reduce oil recovery rates, and impact productivity via increased downtime. The formation of scale brought on by mismanaged water treatment is one of the more significant risks that operators face. What starts as scale can often develop more harmful bacteria and biofilms that can leave a lasting impact on an asset.

The potential impact of scale, corrosion, and fouling can all be mitigated by finding the right water treatment solution for your business.

Finding the right water treatment solution

When implemented properly, the right water treatment solution can improve production efficiency on oil and gas production assets. Adhering to an effective water treatment process and best practice will lead to optimal performance and extend the lifespan of an asset by targeting the impurities and contaminants that result in scaling and corrosion.

Best practice includes regular maintenance and monitoring of water quality, adherence to industry standard parameters, and ensuring that all employees are well trained and aware of the correct procedures and the potential risks if they are not followed. One such procedure would be adopting and implementing chemical treatment methods, proven to help avoid water contamination and pollution while also enabling safe reuse of the water.

Chemical treatment methods are incredibly effective at removing hydrocarbon components from produced water with an established history of success in offshore operations due to limitations surrounding space and resources. Additionally, modern chemical testing methods give quick results, allowing operators to analyse water and ensure that the product aligns with standards set by international regulatory bodies without lengthy disruption to operations.

Common chemical treatment methods include the use of compounds including biocides, scale inhibitors, and corrosion inhibitors – all of which have been proven to prevent scale and corrosion formation. When operators source and adopt the latest technology and methods to tackle water treatment, they are displaying their commitment to sustainable and optimal water utilisation and storage.

THPS testing

For operators, it’s vital to maintain an understanding of the latest water treatment testing methods to avoid falling behind rising industry standards. Over recent years, Tetrakis (hydroxymethyl)-phosphonium Sulfate (THPS) testing has become a go-to solution on offshore assets.

An effective biocide, THPS has become a vital aid in offshore oil production. Ideal for treating produced and injected seawater, THPS has established itself as a leading chemical because of its ability to target harmful bacteria and microorganisms and stop the spread of both.

THPS is a biocide which, when applied properly, is toxic to the harmful bacteria and contaminants that damage assets.

Depending on dosage and treatment, water that has featured biocides such as THPS is labelled as being ‘chemically treated’. With restrictions existing in regions around the world on the amount of chemically treated water that can be discharged overboard, it’s imperative that operators maintain designated levels so as not to break regulations in differing markets. THPS is seen as lower risk than some biocides when entering the environment, however, when discharged at particularly high concentrations, still pose a risk.

So, if THPS is to be used for overboard discharge, it’s vital to know you are applying the utmost care and injecting the optimal dosage to avoid potential impact from the biocide being discharged overboard affecting the environment, breaking regulations, and wasting resource.

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