By Robert S. Hughes
Event provides an opportunity for professionals from around the globe to showcase their technologies, best practices, and lessons learned.
Held for the first time in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East Produced Water Oil and Gas Symposium and Exhibition brought together hundreds of produced-water experts from 37 countries. (Photo: Zainab N. AlNaboud/MPD)
An Aramco-sponsored Middle East Produced Water Oil and Gas Symposium and Exhibition was recently held for the first time in Saudi Arabia and brought together some 450 produced water experts from 37 countries in al-Khobar.
Industry leaders, subject matter experts, government officials, and environmental professionals grasped the opportunity to share knowledge about the latest advancements and growth trends related to the management of produced water — a byproduct during the extraction of oil and natural gas — both regionally and internationally.
Hani H. AlKhalifa
“The symposium exceeded our expectations,” says Hani H. AlKhalifa, Aramco technical advisor and president of the Produced Water Society, Middle East Chapter. “It was attended by nearly double the number of participants we expected, and it provided a great opportunity for professionals from around the globe to showcase their innovative technologies, best practices, and lessons learned.”
Aramco Process and Control Systems Department manager and keynote speaker Walid A. Al-Naeem, said: “Aramco has long recognized the importance of preserving water in one of the most water-stressed regions of the world. We at Aramco are reclassifying produced water from byproduct/waste streams in our facilities to a resource that can supply our operational demand. And our efforts have started paying off. Presently, we have the lowest freshwater intensity among our peers.”
Yousif M. Al-Tahan
Participants were able to learn about Aramco’s Zero Liquid Discharge project, presented at a display booth, and other Aramco speakers and participants included chief technologist Ali A. Al Yousef, Upstream Business Support manager Yousif M. Al-Tahan, and team leader of the Produced Water Research and Development Center, Hasan A. Alabdulgader.
AlKhalifa explains: “Produced water can be transformed to a valuable resource, rather than a heavy liability, through the adaptation of new technologies and circular economy mindset.”
Al-Tahan adds: “By pioneering the practice of responsible water management right from the source across the full cycle, we have shown, and continue to show, that our industry can play a major role in making water scarcity scarce.”
Many technical presentations and round table topics were presented during the conference. In addition to Aramco, other main exhibitors included Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, NESR, Messaben, and Enerflex.
— The Arabian Sun: December 26, 2022