Oilfield environmental control technology. A synopsis

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-1991

Abstract

This overview paper discusses the scope and development of a new area in petroleum engineering: environmental control technology (ECT). This new area is defined as intrinsic in and integrated with an oilfield process and its preventive function is distinguished from the remediating nature of conventional waste disposal technology. ECT is also contrasted to waste management programs by reviewing social, legal, and economic mechanisms of the oilfield environmental compliance developed over the last decade. The mechanisms include the evolution of environmental regulation, and the technical feasibility of ECT for petroleum engineering. Oilfield processes of drilling and production are analyzed as engineering systems to identify their ECT components. Also examined are ECT methods and techniques being developed for the production process: (1) in-situ reduction of produced water (tailpipe water sink, alteration of relative permeability, and gel plugging); (2) Source separation (passive and rotating hydrocyclones, crossflow filtration, disc-centrifuging, and electrolytic treatment); (3) recycling through subsurface injection (control of internal and external integrity of injection wells). Results of multiple regression analysis of existing systems for produced water treatment are also presented. The paper introduces several new concepts with the intention to help the oil industry integrate preventive measures for the environmental issue with oilfield technology.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Proceedings - SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

First Page

541

Last Page

553

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