I work in the oil industry and I wish to focus on reducing reinjection of "free" (non-water right controlled) produced water for beneficial use where economics dictate feasibility. Who can direct me to research and resources that demonstrate the constraints and opportunities to treat and transport or reuse produced water for a variety of beneficial uses. Everything from recycling for various oil and gas and other industrial processes that don't need "clean" water, to levels acceptable for irrigation all the way to graywater reuse or even to meet drinking water standards in certain optimal cases (severe drought, solar power, expensive urban water market). I am also particularly interested in novel approaches like using produced water to generate biogas from algae production at the right salinity levels right on site to help maintain economics in uncertain oil and gas pricing through alternative products. I also would entertain consulting and partnering opportunities or support assisting international researchers and businesses in testing solutions in the U.S. market.
Here is a solid but older white paper from the Argonne National Laboratory discussing costs associated with PW disposal and treatment for beneficial use: https://www.evs.anl.gov/publications/doc/ProducedWatersWP0401.pdf
I assume there have been several new developments, but this should serve as a good starting reference.
Thank you Donald A. Beebe - though the 2004 article was focused on waste management as opposed to beneficial use. Thank you Daniel W Karl for 2020 quantification of challenges beyond already proven viable reuse in onsite production.
Other resources mentioned:
Groundwater Protection Council (GWPC): Produced Water Reuse in Oklahoma: Regulatory Considerations and References
http://www.gwpc.org/sites/default/files/Oklahoma-Produced-Water-Project-Summary-Report.pdf
NAP 2010:
Management and Effects of Coalbed Methane Produced Water in the Western United States (Full text at NAP.edu CN#12915) -
Book Management and Effects of Coalbed Methane Produced Water in ...
2016 THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK SURROUNDING PRODUCED WATER IN NEW MEXICO AND IMPACTS ON POTENTIAL USE (includes various case studies) https://nmwrri.nmsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/ProducedWater-Reports/Reports/Sullivan-Graham%20and%20Sarpong%202016%20-%20The%20Regulatory%20Framework%20Surrounding%20Produced%20Water%20in%20New%20Mexico%20and%20Impacts%20on%20Potential%20Use.pdf
David Stewart: achieved economic ongoing treatment of lower TDS produced water for beneficial use in Wellington, CO for high value municipal augmentation purposes:
Utilizing Produced Water as a New Water Resource (ppt)
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/stewart_1.pdf
Beneficial Use of Produced Water: A Case Study of Projects in Colorado and Wyoming (article)
http://www.riversimulator.org/Resources/farcountry/OilGas/WestwaterFarms/BeneficialUseProducedWater15dec09IPEC.pdf
Paul Peacock, Marathon: achieved Chihuahua Desert 12AF groundwater conservation through onsite reuse: http://www.gwpc.org/sites/default/files/event-sessions/Paul-Peacock.pdf
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