Aqualibrium

Balanced approach to unconventional, conventional water management

Aqualibrium represents the M-I SWACO all-inclusive approach to water management. Aqualibrium technology is designed for both unconventional and conventional applications where water reuse, environmental compliance and optimized operational costs are primary drivers.

Fracturing requires large amounts of water, often in locations with limited access to sufficient supplies. Produced and frac-flowback waters require treatment and disposal and disposal facility options often are limited or costly. Further, truck transportation and the associated environmental impact can be expensive.

The M-I SWACO comprehensive water management solutions greatly minimize water-associated waste disposal volumes, transportation costs and environmental impact. All of these reduce the cost of the operation.

The Aqualibrium approach focuses on reuse and recycling of water whenever possible to reduce the burden on local water supplies. At the same time, it ensures adherence to local disposal regulations. Post-operation surplus water also can be treated to meet disposal and discharge criteria. The solution also gives customers a responsible corporate image through which they gain increased community and regulatory support.

Aqualibrium utilizes proven, field tested-technologies for treating, recycling for reuse, disposal or discharge of all:

• Produced and fracturing flowback water
• Drilling fluids
• Refinery discharge waters
• Mine groundwater.

With Aqualibrium, M-I SWACO matches the water treatment technologies to specific operator requirements such as reuse, discharge, or disposal.

Applications

• Aqualibrium is highly effective in tight gas reservoirs where fracturing can consume between 20,000 and 200,000 bbl per operation. Aqualibrium is in response to growing demand for technologies to economically reduce water consumption by recycling the return fluids from well-stimulation activities.
• Aqualibrium also is well suited for conventional operations where produced and contaminated water are a surface liability when stored in ponds with limited sub-surface disposal.  In many areas, local discharge regulations require water be treated before released to the environment.   The Aqualibrium solution provides water treatment to specifications so operators comply with local regulations for discharge or the water can be integrated into the drilling-fluid system. Aqualibrium also is highly effective for treating water from downstream operations, desalination facilities, and mining operations.

Features

• Proven technologies that recycle water for reuse, disposal and discharge
• Single point of integration and responsibility
• Comprehensive evaluation of engineering alternatives
• Highly trained field and support personnel
• Short- and long-term service/operation services
• Mobile systems for onsite treatment; permanent facilities for centralized treatment
• Extensive field and R & D expertise in water treatment, cleanup and recycling
• Understanding of local environmental regulations
• Technologies adaptable to project requirements
• Technical service engineering
• Technologies supported by an in-house laboratory

Benefits

• Optimal water management solution
• Cost savings over current water management approaches
• Reduction in water costs by re-using or recycling
• Reduction in scaling ions and microbes
• Regulatory compliance issues addressed in all solutions
• Reduction of transportation costs
• Minimizing environmental impact
• Incremental efficiencies from higher quality water
• Immediate productivity; virtually no learning curve
• Accurate modeling of scaling tendencies increases production rates