STW Resources to build two facilities to treat produced water in Texas, US

US-based oilfield services company STW Resources, along with its joint venture partner Black Wolf Enterprises, has announced that it will construct two desalination facilities to treat produced water and remediate oil-based drill cuttings at two sites in Texas, US.

With a treatment capacity of 8,000 barrels per day, the two plants will use reverse osmosis technology to treat water salinities, ranging from slightly brackish to highly saline water.

STW Resources CEO Stanley Weine was quoted by WDR as saying that the first plant will be set up in Upton County of west Texas, with an aim to treat flowback and produced water supplied to the site.

The plant, which will include a disposal well, is expected to become operational in the next two months.

The second reclamation plant, to be constructed in south Texas’ Eagle Ford shale, will treat water that is either transported through pipes or trucked, while the reclaimed water from the plant will be used for drilling operations in the area.

The plant is expected to become operational in the third quarter of 2013.

STW Resources has estimated that the reverse osmosis technology employed at both the facilities will cost $1 per barrel to treat water with fewer solids, and cost $1.50 per barrel to treat high saline water or water with high solid wastewaters.

The company will also install a 0.7million gallons per day brackish water reverse osmosis system at the Ranchland Hills Golf Club in Midland to desalinate well water.

The system will be commissioned within the next couple of weeks and the RO concentrate will be used to maintain water levels in the course’s water hazards.