Removal of dissolved and dispersed hydrocarbons from oil and gas produced water with Macro Porous Polymer Extraction technology to reduce toxicity and allow water reuse
Dick Meijer A and Chris Madin AVeolia Water Solutions & Technology
The APPEA Journal 50(1) 637-648 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ09041
Published: 2010
Abstract
Legislation worldwide and current technologies used in the treatment of offshore oil and gas/condensate produced water are mainly aimed at the removal of dispersed hydrocarbons (dispersed oil). From the beginning of this century, new insights in the North Sea area revealed that specific contaminants in produced water are toxic and their impact on the environment was assessed. This insight was later supported by work in the Philippines. A comparison of water with the same total organic carbon (TOC) levels showed in one case that the unknown toxic content was higher with an unexpected disastrous effect on the biocultures. Overall parameters like biological, chemical and total oxygen demand (BOD, COD and TOC) are of no value in identifying and managing the toxic content of waste and produced water streams.
New extraction based technologies such as the Macro Porous Polymer Extraction (MPPE) technology appear to remove dispersed and dissolved toxic constituents and reduce the environmental impact. Industrial applications show a >99% toxic content reduction in produced water streams.
A recent application (at Woodside Petroleum’s Pluto LNG project) is described where the ultimate reuse of produced water was as demineralised water in an LNG plant. Emerging potential is presented for floating LNG plants currently investigated in conceptual studies by the oil and gas industry. Finally, fundamental technological mechanisms are presented that are required to meet zero harmful discharge legislation.
Dick Meijer is managing director of VWS MPP Systems B.V. a business unit of Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies STI, acquired from Akzo Nobel on 1 December 2006. He was one of the co-founders of this business within Akzo Nobel and since 1994 he has been responsible for the growth and development of the business. Dick started his professional career with Akzo Nobel in 1974 with the R&D salt and basic chemicals division. After five years Dick was promoted to the strategic planning of the coatings division. Upon completion of a further five year term, he became technical marketing manager BU protective coatings for three years. In 1987 Dick assumed the position of sales and marketing manager of the BU non wovens, before being promoted to corporate director for Akzo Nobel’s strategy and planning for the chemicals, fibers divisions and mergers and acquisitions in 1990. Dick received a MSc in physical chemistry from Leiden University and completed various courses in business administration at the Technical University in Twente and marketing in Insead. Dick has presented various papers at international conferences in New York (Nobel merger), Caracas (SPE), Houston (OTC), London/ Vienna (ERTC), London/Aberdeen/Kuala Lumpur (various offshore conferences). Dick is a native Dutch speaker. In addition to his mother tongue, he is also fluent in English, German, Danish and has good knowledge of French. MPPSystems@Veoliawater.com |
Chris Madin is the business development manager for the projects group of Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Australia. Chris is a chemical engineer with experience in the processes and technology for the treatment of all types of water including wastewater, potable and industrial process water. Chris’s focus is difficult industrial water treatment, including water from oil and gas operations, produced water, mining contaminated water, advanced desalination and similar processes. Chris has worked on projects in Australia and the USA, specialising on water treatment processes. water@veoliawater.com.au |
