The North American Market for Produced Water Treatment Equipment

• The North American market for produced water treatment equipment was valued at $760 million in 2011 and should reach $825 million in 2012. Total market value is expected to reach nearly $1.2 billion in 2017 after increasing at a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%.
• Oil field produced water is expected to increase from $627 million in 2012 to $929 million in 2017, a CAGR of 8.2%.
• Gas field produced water is expected to increase from $198 million in 2012 to $267 million in 2017, a CAGR of 6.2%.

REPORT SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Until renewable, sustainable sources are fully developed, the demand for fossil fuels will continue to grow. According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) most recent World Energy Outlook, the production of conventional crude oil, the largest single component of the global oil supply, will remain at current levels before declining slightly, to 68 million barrels per day, by 2035. To offset declining production at existing fields, 47 million barrels per day of additional gross capacity are required. This volume is twice the current total oil production of all Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in the Middle East. A growing share of this output (10 million barrels per day) will come from unconventional sources.

The IEA forecasts a bright future, even a golden age, for natural gas, especially for so-called unconventional gas, such as shale gas and coal bed methane. Unconventional gas now accounts for 50% of the estimated natural gas resource base. By 2035, unconventional gas is predicted to rises to 20% of total gas production, although the pace of development will vary considerably by region. The growth in output also will depend on the gas industry dealing successfully with the environmental challenges. “A golden age of gas,” says the IEA, “will require golden standards for production.”

The demand for carbon-based energy is a major market driver for products and services used to treat the water produced during oil and gas exploration and production (E&P). Produced water, the effluent that rises to the surface during E&P, includes naturally occurring water in energy deposits and water injected into formations during drilling processes.

Produced water comprises approximately 98% of the total waste volume generated by the industry. Current global E&P activities generate more than 115 billion bbl per year (bbl/y) of produced water. For every barrel of oil, an average of three barrels of water is produced. In the U.S., the water to oil ratio (WOR) averages eight barrels of water to one of oil. On average, for every barrel of oil currently recovered, eight barrels of wastewater are also generated. During the next 15 years, the water to oil ratio is forecast to increase from 8:1 to 12:1. In the worst cases, the WOR reaches 50:1. To dispose of produced water, energy companies pay from $3 per barrel to as much as $12 per barrel. With the need to manage such large water volumes, the oil and gas production industry has become as much about water as it is about energy.

In addition to large water volumes and high disposal costs, energy developers using traditional produced water practices are facing increased opposition from environmental activists, local and state governments, and the public. These groups are concerned that the water is leaking from traditional containment pits and entering groundwater and surface water bodies. Historically, produced water has been contained temporarily in pits, and then either transported to treatment plants or evaporated.

During a producing oil well’s life cycle, it initially produces oil along with a small amount of water; but, over time, the percentage of water increases. Throughout the well’s service life, the produced water must be separated from the oil it contains.  Following treatment, the water may be handled via one of three methods: safely discharged (used mainly in offshore applications), reinjected into the hydrocarbon formation (used in onshore, coastal or environmentally sensitive areas) or reused (either to maintain reservoir pressure and enhance heavy oil production or in other beneficial applications). In most world regions and for all of the end uses/disposal options, treated water quality must meet certain standards, including low toxicity, high biodegradability and low potential for bioaccumulation in the food chain.

A number of water treatment technologies and equipment types are commercially available for use at oil or gas production sites. These processes can reduce the cost, inefficiency and risks associated with treatment pits and the transport of toxic water. The treatment technologies include methods for de-oiling, de-sanding, desalinating and disinfecting produced water. Numerous systems types are on the market. Separators; hydrocyclones; and distillation-, ion exchange-, adsorbent- and membrane-based units, as well as proprietary equipment and combinations of equipment are among the choices.

Some of these products and technologies enable the treatment of produced water to a quality suitable for beneficial reuse. Presently, most of the water reused is employed for reinjection in enhanced oil recovery operations. However, there is also future potential for recycling the water in agriculture or a new source of municipal or industrial water supply, especially where water scarcity is an issue.

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

This report is intended to provide an in-depth analysis of the market for produced water treatment equipment. The study examines market value by world region, equipment type and offshore versus onshore use. The world regions discussed are the Americas, North America (the U.S., Canada and Mexico), and Central and South America; Europe; the Asia-Pacific region; and the Middle East and Africa.

The market evaluation by equipment type looks at produced water treatment systems within three broad categories: primary and secondary treatment oil separation equipment (minimizes oil in water content to 25 parts per million [ppm] to 30 ppm), tertiary treatment equipment (further reduces oil in water to less than 10 ppm) and advanced treatment (processes for desalinating produced water and enabling zero liquid discharge).

In the market analysis by hydrocarbon resource, value and growth are evaluated for equipment used in treating produced water from conventional oil and gas production and the development of unconventional resources: tight oil, oil sands bitumen, shale gas and coal bed methane. (For the purposes of this report, tight gas, natural gas that is difficult to access because of the nature of the rock and sand surrounding the deposit, is included in conventional resources.)

Because regulations governing offshore versus onshore produced water discharge differ, the equipment market also is evaluated by that parameter. In addition, the two markets are growing at different rates and are propelled by somewhat different drivers.

Technical and market drivers are considered in evaluating the current value of the technologies and in forecasting growth and trends over the next five years. The conclusions are illustrated with a wealth of statistical information on markets, applications, industry structure and dynamics along with technological developments.

Because of the diverse and somewhat fragmented nature of the produced water treatment industry, it is difficult to find studies that gather such extensive data from such far-flung resources into one comprehensive document. This report contains a unique collection of information, analyses, forecasts and conclusions that are very hard or impossible to find elsewhere.

REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY

Global population growth and economic expansion are driving energy demand, while simultaneously driving significant increases in the demand for water. The challenge of meeting these demands is intensified by the nexus between water and energy. Large volumes of water are consumed to produce and generate energy, while vast amounts of energy are used to treat and distribute clean water.  Furthermore, there is growing competition for water from the municipal, agricultural and industrial sectors, which exacerbates the mounting problem of global water scarcity. These issues pose a significant business risk to oil and gas companies seeking to achieve sustainable growth.

Major water-related challenges facing the oil and gas sector are mature oilfields that increasingly require water-based enhanced oil recovery methods and produce more water over time; growing exploration and production complexity due to emerging unconventional hydrocarbon resources, with their large water needs; and greater environmental and regulatory pressures related to water management and scarcity.

For these reasons, oil and gas companies must reevaluate water as a strategic element in their value chain. Water is no longer solely an environmental issue but is increasingly tied to production growth and cost. As a result, it must be handled through a strategy that recognizes its status as a critical component to ongoing viability in the oil and gas sector.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

This report is designed to be of value to a wide array of readers. Those expected to have the greatest interest are players already active in oil and gas production and/or produced water treatment. The study will be of value to startup companies with novel water treatment technology, especially for the hydraulic fracturing sector, since that market is still emerging and has no dominant players. Oilfield services businesses should find the report useful for its overview of treatment technologies, which include performance data, as well as capital and operating cost information.

It should be of interest to venture investors, entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial companies interested in entering or expanding into the produced water treatment sector. Other public- and private-sector interest groups, market analysts and general readers wishing to gain broader knowledge of the dynamics of the produced water treatment equipment market also are expected to find the report worthwhile.

SCOPE OF REPORT

The scope of this report is focused on global produced water treatment equipment for the oil and gas industry. The market is broken down by several different parameters, including world region, equipment type, produced water source and offshore/onshore application.

There are a number of expenses related to produced water management, including expenditures for services and equipment for downhole water minimization, for lifting water to the surface, for treatment, for reinjection, and for hauling and off-site disposal. This report will evaluate only oil and gas sector purchases for treatment equipment.

The study covers the industry on a worldwide basis in terms of the manufacture and deployment of treatment systems. BCC examines government roles in support of global markets, including regulatory support, government requirements and promotional incentives for various technologies as relevant and available.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

Both primary and secondary research methodologies were used in preparing this report.  Research for this technical/marketing report began with an analysis of available technical and business literature related to sludge treatment. Conversations with industry experts and company representatives provide the backbone for the analysis.

Capital equipment expenditure estimates are based on anticipated future treatment capacity, existing and expected regulatory standards, and alterna­tives for disposing of oil and gas field wastewater.

Both primary and secondary research methods were used in this research study. Internet, literature and patent searches were undertaken, and key industry participants were queried.  Growth rates for each market were calculated based on expected revenues from sales of process equipment during the forecast period. Values and forecasts are given in current U.S. dollars. Construction, engineering and design costs are excluded from market size calculations.

Table Of Contents

Chapter- 1: Introduction - Complimentary 4
Study Goals And Objectives
Reasons For Doing The Study
Intended Audience
Scope Of Report
Methodology And Information Sources
Analyst Credentials
Related Bcc Publications
Bcc Online Services
Disclaimer

Chapter- 2: Summary 3
Table Summary : North American Market Size And Growth For Produced Water Treatment Equipment, By Application, Through 2017
Figure Summary : North American Market Size And Growth For Produced Water Treatment Equipment, By Application, 2007–2017

Chapter- 3: Overview 23
Water And Wastewater At Upstream Oil And Gas Sites
What Is Produced Water?
How Much Produced Water Is Generated?

Chapter- 4: Treatment Technologies 62
Current Practices
Produced Water Treatment Stages
De-Oiling
Desalination

Chapter- 5: World Oil And Gas Industry Overview 38
Market Drivers
Global Oil-Liquid Fuels Production
Proven Global Oil Reserves
Global Natural Gas Reserves
Table 20 : Oil And Gas Wells Drilled In 2011 And 2012, By World Region
Figure 9 : Oil And Gas Wells Drilled In 2011 And 2012, By World Region

Chapter- 6: Focus On North America 40
U.S.
Canada
Mexico
North American Market For Produced Water Treatment Equipment
Table 38 : Oil And Gas Wells Drilled In North America, 2011 And 2012
Figure 21 : Oil And Gas Wells Drilled In North America, 2011 And 2012
Table 39 : Offshore Oil And Gas Wells Drilled In North America, 2011 And 2012
Figure 22 : Offshore Oil And Gas Wells Drilled In North America, 2011 And 2012
Figure 23 : North American Oil Production Compared To Output From Russia And Saudi Arabia, 1965-2020
Figure 24 : North American Oil Production Forecast By Resource, 2007 Through 2025
Figure 25 : North American Oil Production By Country, Conventional And Unconventional, 2008-2030
Figure 26 : North American Gas Production Forecast By Resource, 2007-2025

Chapter- 7: Industry Structure 9
Capital Equipment Spending
Considerations For Vendors Supplying Water Treatment Equipment

Chapter- 8: Company Profiles 22
212 Resources
Agv Technologies, Inc.
Aker Solutions
Altela, Inc.
Amcol International Corp.
Aqua Ewp
Aqua-Pure Ventures
Aquatech
Auxsol, Inc.
Cameron International Corp.
Dps Global
Drake Water Technologies, Inc.
Ecosphere Technologies
Eco-Tec
Eprocess Technologies Pty. Ltd.
Exterran
Flsmidth
Fmc Technologies (Cds)
Filterboxx Packaged Water Solutions, Inc.
Ge Water & Process Technologies
Geo-Processors Pty. Ltd.
Geopure Hydrotechnologies
Global Process Systems
Gradek Energy, Inc.
Halliburton
Hamworthy
Hydration Technology Innovation (Hti)
Layne Christensen
Mycelx Technologies Corp.
Nov Mission Products
New Logic Research
Ovivo
Process Group International (Pgi)
Prosep Inc.
Saipem
Schlumberger
Set Corp.
Severn Trent
Siemens Water Technologies
Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies
Vme Process, Inc.
Wastewater Resources, Inc. (Wri)
Water Standard Co.
Watertectonics
Water & Power Technologies, Inc. (Wpt)

List Of Tables

Summary Table : North American Market Size And Growth For Produced Water Treatment Equipment, By Application, Through 2017
Table 1 : Typical Composition Of Produced Water
Table 2 : Cbm Produced Water Characteristics
Table 3 : Global Onshore And Offshore Produced Water Volumes, Through 2017
Table 4 : Fate Of Produced Water, By End Use/Disposal Route, 2012 Vs. 2017
Table 5 : Typical Cost Breakdown For Produced Water Management By Process Step
Table 6 : Produced Water Disposal Costs For Off-Site Commercial Facilities, By Option
Table 7 : Percentage Of Produced Water Reinjected Offshore, By Region, 2008-2010
Table 8 : Percentage Of Produced Water Reinjected Onshore, By Region, 2008-2010
Table 9 : Equipment Selection Based On Size Of Particles Removed
Table 10 : Typical Water Treatment Processes In The Oil And Gas Industry
Table 11 : Produced Water Contaminant Removal Requirements And Suitable Treatment Technologies
Table 12 : De-Oiling Technologies For Produced Water Treatment
Table 13 : Oil Content Of Produced Water Discharges, Onshore And Offshore, 2004–2010
Table 14 : Oil Content Of Produced Water Discharged Offshore, By Region, 2008-2010
Table 15 : Oil Content Of Produced Water Discharged Onshore, By Region, 2008–2010
Table 16 : Desalination Technologies For Produced Water Treatment
Table 17 : Pressure-Driven Membrane Technologies For Produced Water Treatment
Table 18 : Vsep Installations For Produced Water Treatment
Table 19 : Disinfection Technologies For Produced Water Treatment
Table 20 : Oil And Gas Wells Drilled In 2011 And 2012, By World Region
Table 21 : Oil-In-Water Limits By Country
Table 22 : Peak Oil Production At World’s Largest Oilfields
Table 23 : Global Eor-Based Oil Production, By Region/Country, 2010
Table 24 : Global Eor-Based Oil Production, By Technology Type, 2010
Table 25 : Eor-Based Oil Production By Region And Technology Type, 2010
Table 26 : Cbm Reserves By Country
Table 27 : World Proved Oil Reserves By Country As Of January 2011
Table 28 : World Proved Oil Reserves By Region, As Of January 2011
Table 29 : Global Oil Production By Country
Table 30 : Global Distribution Of Oil Wells, 2008
Table 31 : Non-Opec Oil Production In The New Policies Scenario, 2010-2035
Table 32 : Opec Oil Production In The New Policies Scenario, 2010-2035
Table 33 : World Natural Gas Reserves By Region As Of January 1, 2011
Table 34 : World Natural Gas Reserves By Country, As Of January 1, 2011
Table 35 : Global Natural Gas Production By Country
Table 36 : Primary Natural Gas Production In The New Policies Scenario, 2009-2035
Table 37 : World Natural Gas Production By Region/Country, Conventional Versus Unconventional, Through 2035
Table 38 : Oil And Gas Wells Drilled In North America, 2011 And 2012
Table 39 : Offshore Oil And Gas Wells Drilled In North America, 2011 And 2012
Table 40 : U.S. Crude Oil Production, 2009–2035
Table 41 : Number Of Producing U.S. Oil Wells, By Region, 2010 And 2011
Table 42 : Number Of Producing U.S. Gas Wells, By Region, 2010 And 2011
Table 43 : Produced Water Volumes In The U.S., By State, 2012
Table 44 : Egls For Discharge Into Coastal Waters
Table 45 : Expectations For Frac Water Legislation
Table 46 : Canadian Crude Oil Production Forecast, 2010-2025
Table 47 : Oil Sands: Raw Bitumen Production, 2011–2030
Table 48 : North American Market Size And Growth For Produced Water Treatment, By Equipment Type, Through 2017
Table 49 : Oil And Gas Wells Drilled In North America, Onshore Versus Offshore, 2011 And 2012
Table 50 : North American Market Size And Growth For Produced Water Treatment, Onshore Vs. Offshore, 2007–2017
Table 51 : U.S. Eor Oil Production, By Technology Type, 2010
Table 52 : U.S. Cbm Production, 1990-2010
Table 53 : North American Market Size And Growth For Produced Water Treatment Equipment By Hydrocarbon Resource, 2007–2017
Table 54 : Global Capital Spending In The Upstream Oil And Gas Industry, 2000-2012
Table 55 : Capital Spending By The Upstream Oil And Gas Industry, By Region, 2011 And 2012
Table 56 : Percentage Breakdown Of Capital Spending By The Upstream Oil And Gas Industry, By Region, 2012
Table 57 : Oil And Gas Industry Investment, By Company, 2010 And 2011

List Of Figures

Summary Figure : North American Market Size And Growth For Produced Water Treatment Equipment, By Application, 2007–2017
Figure 1 : Global Onshore And Offshore Produced Water Volumes, 2000–2017
Figure 2 : Fate Of Produced Water, By End Use/Disposal Route 2012 Vs. 2017
Figure 3 : Typical Cost Breakdown For Produced Water Management By Process Step
Figure 4 : Percentage Of Produced Water Reinjected Offshore, By Region, 2008-2010
Figure 5 : Percentage Of Produced Water Reinjected Onshore, By Region, 2008-2010
Figure 6 : Oil Content Of Produced Water Discharges, Onshore And Offshore, 2004-2010
Figure 7 : Oil Content Of Produced Water Discharged Offshore, By Region, 2008–2010
Figure 8 : Oil Content Of Produced Water Discharged Onshore, By Region, 2008-2010
Figure 9 : Oil And Gas Wells Drilled In 2011 And 2012, By World Region
Figure 10 : Global Eor-Based Oil Production, By Region/Country, 2010
Figure 11 : Global Eor-Based Oil Production, By Technology Type, 2010
Figure 12 : Eor-Based Oil Production By Region And Technology Type, 2010
Figure 13 : World Liquids Supply By Type In The New Policy Scenario, 1990-2035
Figure 14 : Global Shale Gas Reserves
Figure 15 : Global Cbm Reserves
Figure 16 : Cbm Reserves By Country
Figure 17 : World Proved Oil Reserves By Region, As Of January 2011
Figure 18 : Global Distribution Of Oil Wells, 2008
Figure 19 : World Natural Gas Reserves By Region, As Of January 1, 2011
Figure 20 : World Natural Gas Reserves By Country As Of January 1, 2011
Figure 21 : Oil And Gas Wells Drilled In North America, 2011 And 2012
Figure 22 : Offshore Oil And Gas Wells Drilled In North America, 2011 And 2012
Figure 23 : North American Oil Production Compared To Output From Russia And Saudi Arabia, 1965-2020
Figure 24 : North American Oil Production Forecast By Resource, 2007 Through 2025
Figure 25 : North American Oil Production By Country, Conventional And Unconventional, 2008-2030
Figure 26 : North American Gas Production Forecast By Resource, 2007-2025
Figure 27 : U.S. Crude Oil Production, 2009–2035
Figure 28 : Annual Crude Oil Production, 2000–2011
Figure 29 : Number Of Producing U.S. Oil Wells, By Region, 2010 And 2011
Figure 30 : Number Of Producing U.S. Gas Wells, By Region, 2010 And 2011
Figure 31 : U.S. Dry Gas Production, By Resource Type, 1990-2035
Figure 32 : U.S. Shale Gas Plays, Lower 48 States
Figure 33 : Produced Water Volumes In The U.S., By State, 2012
Figure 34 : Expectations For Frac Water Legislation
Figure 35 : Canadian Crude Oil Production Forecast, 2010-2025
Figure 36 : Oil Sands: Raw Bitumen Production, 2011–2030
Figure 37 : Canadian Natural Gas Production Projections, 2005–2020, Two Price Scenarios
Figure 38 : North American Market Size And Growth For Produced W
Figure 39 : Oil And Gas Wells Drilled In North America, Onshore Versus Offshore, 2011 And 2012
Figure 40 : North American Market Size And Growth For Produced Water Treatment, Onshore Vs. Offshore, 2007–2017
Figure 41 : U.S. Eor Oil Production, By Technology Type, 2010
Figure 42 : U.S. Cbm Production, 1990-2010
Figure 43 : North American Market Size And Growth For Produced Water Treatment Equipment By Hydrocarbon Resource, 2007-2017
Figure 44 : Global Capital Spending In The Upstream Oil And Gas Industry, 2000-2012
Figure 45 : Capital Spending By The Upstream Oil And Gas Industry, By Region, 2011 And 2012
Figure 46 : Percentage Breakdown Of Capital Spending By The Upstream Oil And Gas Industry, By Region, 2012