Tags:Anthropogenic activities, Bioremediation, Drought, Environmental impact assessment, oil and gas industry, Produced water and water potential options of reuse
Abstract:
Since the past decades, the increasing of anthropogenic activities, especially in oil and gas industrial areas have affected the environment (air, water and soil). This is a global issues which happening throughout the world. Sudan also faces these problems as it has been producing and exporting oil since August 1999. Produced water is considered as a by-product of oil and gas production and most commonly treated as a waste for disposal rather than reuse and is the largest volume waste stream associated with oil and gas exploration and production. Recently produced water quantities in Sudan oilfields (Western Kordofan State) increased rapidly due to the increase of the water cut percentage of the produced wells for all productive oilfields. Bioremediation projects were constructed to treat the produced water coming from Central Processing Facilities (CPF) at Heglig, and other Field Production Facilities (FPF). The discharge of the treated produced water used ONLY for irrigation of forests area. Globally as weather changes its pattern and climate in the worldwide, the demand of freshwater supply has increased. This problem is particularly occurring in Western states of Sudan includes Western Kordofan State where water resources are particularly stressed given unprecedented drought and competing demands for ever scarcer water. This research paper will propose an integrated management of the produced water and its disposal is further evaluated for potential options of reuse; it may contribute to minimize the problem of drought on this part of Sudan.
Integrated management of produced water in Oil and gas industry; Case study Western Kordofan State - Sudan