Total Water & Wastewater Management for Shale Gas Production

New sources of natural gas and innovative drilling methods have paved the way for production of resources once thought to be cost-prohibitive.

However, production techniques such as shale gas hydraulic fracturing or coal seam gas (CSG) requires millions of gallons of water. As production levels increase, the need to address limited treatment options for the wastewater generated.  Long-term sustainability will require reuse and recycling of water resources while minimizing overall waste volumes from production activities.

Evaporation & Crystallization Technology

VWS Oil & Gas has developed specific wastewater treatment process technologies focused on the production of emerging natural gas resources.

One such process utilizing thermal evaporation and crystallization technology as the primary treatment for both flowback and produced water from hydraulic fracturing of gas shales. Offered as a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) solution, this unique system is highly efficient in treating wastewaters containing both high and lower levels of TDS.

The benefits of the evaporation and crystallization process include:

• Effective removal of sodium and calcium chlorides as well as the heavy metals found in produced water*
• The only waste generated is a solid saltcake, suitable for landfill disposal per TCLP testing requirements*
• Eliminates the need for pretreatment equipment, reducing capital and operating costs*

As a ZLD system, greater than 95% of the effluent is recovered for reuse.

* - Demonstrated using wastewater generated from the Marcellus Shale Gas Play in the Eastern United States