E&P Operations in Water Stressed Areas: An Approach to the Identification, Selection and Implementation of Initiatives for a Sustainable Water Management, Withdrawal Reduction and Water Valorization

Water is one of earth's most critical resources, and water scarcity represents an increasing problem worldwide. Demographic growth and economic development are putting unprecedented pressure on water resources, especially in arid regions. Water is crucial for many sectors, and it is also fundamental to meet personal and household needs, for energy and industrial production, to maintain important water-dependent ecosystems and ecosystem services. Water plays a key role in all the phases of the Oil and Gas business, because of the large amounts of this resource that should be managed, both with respect to withdrawals and to disposal. For these reasons, it is essential to adopt a well-defined and sound approach in order to protect the water resource, also considering that often Oil and Gas activities take place in arid regions. All these aspects require an integrated and inclusive approach, able to build resilience against worsening factors.