Petroleum and Coal Seam Gas
The increasing production from existing oil/gas fields and the development of new energy sources (such as CSG) is presenting us with a major challenge: how to sustainably manage the large volumes of produced water, which is often saline and alkaline. In view of the limitations associated with existing disposal options, finding effective management tools for such waters is a priority for many companies globally. Geo-Processors has taken up this challenge and offer a package of technology based solutions specifically for this industry sector. Our solutions range from salt load reduction for regulated discharge, to comprehensive treatment involving the recovery of valuable by-products to offset treatment costs.
...Sustainable water solutions for Australian CSG sector - a driver of transition to lower carbon economy.
Background to CSG Water
- Since 2007 over 30 Gigalitres (30,000 ML) of untreated Coal Seam Gas (CSG) water disposed in evaporation ponds in Queensland alone
- Based on an average salinity of 2.5 g/L TDS, these ponds contain 75,000 tonnes of mixed salts and contaminants.
- Recent (2010) Queensland state legislation bans the use of evaporation ponds for disposal of untreated CSG water.
- Future LNG production from Queensland CSG resources is estimated to produce between 50 ML/Day and 120 ML/Day of raw water.
- Reverse osmosis (RO) desalination is the technology of choice for beneficial use of massive volumes of produced water to be generated from large CSG-LNG projects. However, a key environmental issue and source of significant concern by developers and communities alike is the safe and cost effective disposal of generated brine.
- The issue of sustainable management of produced water and brine generated from desalination processes at inshore oil gas production fields is a common concern and increasingly becoming highlighted around the globe.
Sustainability of water and particularly brine management is the key issue facing the CSG-LNG industry in Australia.
CSG Water Regulatory Regime
Recent QLD legislation makes a number of important recommendations relevant to CSG water management:
- Approval for beneficial use, after treatment.
- Minimum quality standards for beneficial use specified.
- Brine management recommendations made (identifying preferred vs. non-preferred options).
- Disposal of solids recommendations made, including guidelines for landfill design / construction.
- Recognition of options featuring valuable by-product recovery.
- Brine management shall be integral part of the total water management plan.
Fundamental Requirements
To support the CSG-LNG developers, any innovative brine management solution should:
- Be cost effective.
- Maximise water recovery
- Minimise / eliminate the need for evaporation ponds and / or landfill.
- Reduce the risks and liabilities for CSG developers and operators.
- Include technologies that are scaleable and adaptable to various sites and stages of development.
The Challenge
- Sustainable management of brine generated from desalination of CSG water represents a major challenge for the CSG sector in Australia, as the conventional approaches have increasingly become limited in scope and applicability.
- There is no “single bullet solution” for all situations.
- A portfolio of brine solutions needed to ensure that LNG industry fully realises its development potential.
- Significant demand exists for innovative brine solutions for:
- Remediation of existing evaporation ponds.
- Supporting the LNG developers to progress with timely implementation of their environmental / water management plans.
Geo-Processors’ Capabilities in Dealing with CSG Brine
Geo-Processors has a long history of working in alkaline water environments in Australia and the U.S., using SAL-PROC™ as the cornerstone of its innovative CSG water management solutions.
Company has performed several detailed feasibility studies in Australia and elsewhere. Particularly, three Australian projects involved comprehensive pilot trials of alkaline produced waters, confirming the effectiveness of SAL-PROC™ for achieving ZLD outcomes. One of these projects (2003) was located in the Roma region of Queensland, and to date, it remains the only successful ZLD process piloting and technology demonstration project ever undertaken on a CSG water source in Australia.
Based on its technology advantage, in-depth knowledge of the CSG water quality issues and previous experience with the sustainable management of alkaline waters, Geo-Processors offer the CSG industry a suite of innovative brine treatment system solutions. These can be applied to remediation of existing brine pond waters or to management of brines from planned LNG projects in Australia.
The cornerstone of our treatment systems is SAL-PROC™, which provides ZLD outcomes through integration with conventional desalination and other volume reduction processes. Advantages of these systems include recovery of commercial grade by-products which offset the treatment costs of brine, while reducing the need for evaporation ponds and eliminating landfill requirement.
