Estudo de água produzida em poço de exploração de petróleo do Recôncavo da Bahia

Abstract

During oil exploration is generated a certain amount of water, called the water produced. This water is characterized as wastewater, because it contains high salinity, oil particles in suspension, chemicals added in various production processes, heavy metals and, sporadically, radioactivity. The significant volume of water generated during the exploration process makes necessary and important to know its characteristics, forms of treatment and the effects that it may cause to the environment. The water produced when discarded without prior treatment can cause irreversible damage to sensitive water bodies, and soil contamination. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of the water produced in well oil exploration on land (onshore) and indicate treatment measures that suit their quality for reuse. To achieve this goal, it was carried out a review of literature on the subject, on-site recognition of an area used for oil exploration, collection and analysis of water quality produced in an oil exploration well “onshore” and indicates treatment measures that suit their quality for reuse. It was observed that the visited company makes the separation of oil from water by using a separator of water and oil following by a filter and, then, reinjected in the ground through the injection well. This technique increases production of neighboring wells. During the review of the literature, it was observed that most treatments are used to remove mainly grease and oil and then salinity. Among the techniques which can be used for the removal of oils and greases are the electrocoagulation, the filtration ultrasonic and oil water separator. As for the removal of salts it can be highlighted, distillation, reverse osmosis and precipitation. It was observed that the volume of water produced during oil exploration is very high and quality is unsatisfactory for certain uses, requiring prior treatment. In most cases, this water is reused as a method of secondary recovery, however, despite its qualitative characteristics, has the potential for irrigation of certain semi-high salinity tolerant crops.