Produced water use discussed at conference
MIDWEST CITY — Finding ways to re-use water produced by oil and gas operations were among conservation accomplishments Gov. Mary Fallin mentioned Oklahoma has made as she addressed several hundred water conference attendees Wednesday. Fallin discussed that and more as she talked to participants in the Governor’s Annual Water Conference and Symposium about the state’s Water for 2060 plan, which aims to conserve how much fresh water is used in Oklahoma’s future. The plan seeks ways to conserve its use, keeping it at the same level then as it was in 2012 by using incentives. “Water is our most precious resource, right behind Oklahoma’s people. Water is essential for life,” she said. “If you have ever been to countries that don’t have water, or maybe have dirty water or don’t have water for economic development, you can appreciate how important it is here.” As for produced water, Fallin discussed efforts regulators, researchers and industry partners are making through a Produced Water Working Group she created. The group has looked at how much water oil and gas operations produce, how that water might be used by that industry and others and potential transportation hurdles that are involved. “This group works very hard to make sure every drop of water is counted and protected,” Fallin said. During her address, Fallin said the quality and availability of water are vital factors that will govern Oklahoma’s future economic and population growth rates, noting companies consider those critical issues whenever they are considering moving to Oklahoma or expanding existing operations that already are here. Beyond produced water, other accomplishments Fallin mentioned include an agreement involving the state, Oklahoma City and tribes to settle a lawsuit involving Oklahoma City’s plan to acquire storage rights in Sardis Reservoir to use as a future water source.
Michael Teague, Oklahoma’s energy and environmental secretary, talked more with The Oklahoman about the produced water group and its work after Fallin’s remarks.
“The group is looking for ways to use this water
10 years down the road,” he said, adding that it already expects the water will first be used by the company that produces it to complete future wells and then ultimately will be used by other companies that could access that supply.
He said the group also is evaluating how hard it might be to move produced water between plays. “Moving water is
expensive,” Teague said. “I personally think being able to move that water using a lay-flat line in a right of way to keep that cost down so that we can reduce fresh water use is exactly what we should be doing.”
The Water for 2060 plan also encourages businesses, governmental entities and individuals to reduce fresh water waste and to use
the water they need in smarter ways.
“Not every state does that,” Fallin said. “Water is, will be and will continue to be a major priority for the state. It is vital to our growth.
“You’ve done a lot of great work,” Fallin told conference participants. “You have certainly put Oklahoma in a much better position than it was in the past.”