CONSOL Energy to form new water division

US-based CONSOL Energy has announced that is formalising steps to integrate the company’s water operations into an integrated water division.

The company hopes the division will better manage the marketing of its water resources along with its water treatment and management services.

CONSOL Energy president Nicholas J DeIuliis said that the company’s water assets and successful water management experience will help offer services to the natural gas industry with its growing need for water resources.

"We are currently testing use of this water in our own drilling and well operations, and are negotiating AMD off-take agreements with several leading gas operators who see the value of a reliable water supply," added DeIuliis.

The company has also announced that is has acquired a minority stake in Epiphany Solar Water Systems, an inventor of a concentrated solar-powered water purification system.

It has invested $500,000 under the terms of the stake sale agreement, pursuant to which a pilot solar-powered water purification system will be tested at CONSOL’s Marcellus gas well locations.

Epiphany Solar Water Systems CEO Tom Joseph said, "During this pilot test, Epiphany will also work to determine the potential of our technology to lower the cost of energy needed to process wastewater by using alternative energy, reduce the risk of waste disposal by processing water on site and recovering the resultant water, salt, minerals and disposable waste materials."

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Image: CONSOL Energy will create a new water division to market the company’s water resources. Credit: Consol Energy