Propuesta de alternativas de aprovechamiento del agua residual del proceso de producción de hidrocarburos

Abstract

Produced water management represents one of the main operational and environmental challenges in the oil industry due to the large volumes generated and the presence of dissolved and suspended compounds that can affect treatment, transport, and reinjection systems. In the Platanillo field located in Puerto Asis, Putumayo, produced water disposal through reinjection requires physicochemical conditions that minimize scaling, corrosion, and fouling phenomena, which directly impact equipment efficiency and operational costs. In this context, the objective of this study was to characterize the physicochemical properties of produced water from the Platanillo field and to evaluate potential valorization alternatives for its components under a circular economy approach aimed at improving operational efficiency and reducing water management costs. The research was developed through an experimental and analytical methodology that included direct sampling from in-line process valves located in the treated water streams prior to the suction of high-pressure injection pumps (HPS). Samples were collected in borosilicate glass bottles with PTFE caps and analyzed immediately after collection to avoid alterations in their composition. Physicochemical characterization was performed using internationally recognized analytical methods, including gravimetric techniques, spectrophotometry, chemical titration, and ICP-OES, based on Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, EPA methods, and procedures from the Hach Water Analysis Handbook. The evaluated parameters included total suspended solids, oil in water, total iron, barium, sulfates, chlorides, and total hardness. The results of the characterization revealed representative concentrations of inorganic compounds [nm2.1]and suspended materials typically associated with petroleum production processes, which may act as precursors of scaling and fouling in reinjection systems. Based on these results, a technical assessment of potential valorization routes for the main components present in produced water was conducted, considering processes such as selective chemical precipitation, membrane separation, advanced filtration, and mineral compound recovery and thus provide technical alternatives aimed at reducing the costs associated with produced water management and reinjection, through the identification of valorization opportunities for its physicochemical components and the optimization of the treatment processes used in the field. Additionally, mass flow quantification of the main components present in produced water was performed using the average reinjection flow rate, allowing estimation of the recovery potential of these compounds and their impact on system operation. Based on these balances, a simplified economic evaluation was carried out over a ten-year period with a 10% discount rate, considering operational costs associated with chemical reagents, membrane maintenance, and labor, as well as potential benefits derived from scaling reduction, decreased injection pressure, and energy savings in high-pressure pumping systems. The results of the analysis indicated that the implementation of treatment strategies focused on the selective removal of scaling compounds and suspended solids may contribute to improving the quality of reinjection water and reducing the energy requirements of the high-pressure pumping system by between 10% and 20%, generating an average annual savings of USD 150,000 to USD 280,000. In this way, the proposed approach represents a technical alternative for optimizing produced water management and advancing toward more sustainable operational schemes in the oil industry. An important limitation for implementing the valorization of produced water components is the variability in the chemical composition of the water over time, which may require continuous adjustments in treatment and valorization processes.