EFFICIENCY OF TECHNOLOGIES FOR DISCHARGE OF PRODUCED BALLAST WATER

In the conditions of modern oil production, taking into account the high water content of the produced borehole fluid, the need for advanced produced ballast water discharge is becoming more and more urgent. The main problem in the production of high water cut liquids is the high energy consumption for wastewater transportation and treatment at booster pump station (BPS)/group metering pump station (GMRS), which leads to significant additional costs and a decrease in the economic efficiency of oil production. The development of efficient technologies for ballast water discharge is an urgent necessity for operating costs minimization. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of modern technologies for the ballast water discharge in oil production taking into account energy costs minimization. The main research methods are: analysis of literature data on ballast water discharge; analysis of data on technologies for processing and purification of produced water; energy costs assessment for wastewater transportation and treatment; effectiveness assessment of various technologies for ballast water discharge taking into account energy costs. The following research methods were used: - analysis of existing technological processes of produced water discharge; - using computer modeling to evaluate new technology effectiveness; - planning a pilot project to test the proposed solutions in situ; - economic effect of potential improvements. As a result of the study, effective technologies for produced ballast water discharge, including the use of gravity wells-separators (settling tanks), pipe phase dividers and increasing the efficiency of BPS/GMRS by upgrading separation tanks (bullits), were identified. It was also found that the use of separator wells with special wellhead fittings (elements), in combination with chemical methods of demulsification, can increase the efficiency of cluster discharge, reduce and minimize energy consumption for wastewater transportation and treatment. Energy costs reduction for produced water transportation and treatment is one of the key factors in increasing the competitiveness and sustainability of oil companies, due to the fact that flood pattern system is the most energy-intensive. Innovative approaches to water discharge at the mining site can lead to significant energy savings. The integration of complex energy-efficient solutions into the strategies of oil-producing enterprises development will allow achieving long-term economic benefits.