A technology for cleaning frack and produced water has removed up to 99% of organic materials in initial field tests in California.
OriginOil’s CLEAN-FRAC water treatment system for the oil and gas industry completed its first field testing on produced water at an oil well near Bakersfield, California.
The field trials demonstrated that the process removes almost all organics, suspended solids and bacteria from produced water, demonstrating the potential impact of the technology in enabling oil operators to extract more petroleum from process water and reduce fresh water use.
Bill Charneski, General Manager of the Oil & Gas Division, described the experience:
“Through our Industry Advisor, Dr. Gerald Bailey, we secured an oil well in Lost Hills as a test site. The well’s produced water was fairly contaminated with a heavy crude oil and drilling residues. From the first test, there was significant separation of the oil and solids from the water. Testing of our product showed that organics, measured by Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), were reduced by as much as 99%."
Produced water is water trapped in underground formations that is brought to the surface along with oil or gas. It may include water from the reservoir, water injected into the formation, and any chemicals added during the production and treatment processes.
The system is the first stage of any multi-stage water treatment system designed for recycling or purifying to drinking water.
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We are exhibiting at WWEM – Water, Wastewater and Environmental Management Expo, which is one of the eight exhibitions taking place at the NEC, Birmingham 17-18 September 2025 as part of ESS Expo 2025. Please come along and visit us at Stand WW-S60.
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