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2215603 
Technical Report 
Produced water and associated issues a manual for the independent operator 
Reynolds, RR; Kiker, RD 
2003 
Oklahoma Geological Survey 
Tulsa, OK 
Oklahoma Geological Survey Open-File Report 6-2003 
65 
English 
PREFACE

The largest volume waste stream associated with oil and gas production is produced water. Operators in the South Midcontinent Region of the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (PTTC) identified produced water as a major constraint in the production of hydrocarbons. The costs of lifting, separating, handling, treating, and disposing of this water are substantial. In addition to the economic burden it imposes, water can also directly reduce hydrocarbon production.

With these thoughts in mind and as partial fulfillment of a PUMP (Preferred Upstream
Management Practices) contract award, the South Midcontinent Region developed this manual as a reference source to assist independent operators in dealing with produced water. Many workshops conducted by PTTC have dealt with topics related to this subject. Much of the information in this manual was compiled from these workshop materials.

The manual is divided into eight sections to better address the different technologies used for different water production issues operators face throughout the life of a well. Not all technologies discussed are applicable to all situations, but they have led in certain situations to improved return on investment and increased economically recoverable reserves.