Water and Energy - GLG News

Summary

Water use for electric gen
Water needs in production
Comments to article on Green Energy, Shale
Water usage and resources

Analysis

Water is integral part of energy generation and hydrocarbon production. Water is mainly used for steam generation/cooling in one case and for drilling and assisted production in the latter case.?
However, when it comes to conventional gas production, rarely a lot water is needed to lift the gas. This comes in fact to surface through natural expansion, often without much associated water. If the case was very different, there would have been no Thunder Horse. Shale gas, instead, requires more fresh water sources to assist production. The? quantities described in the article seem however well in line with mining industry means. On the other hand, we should consider that hydrocarbon production generates in the vast majority of cases a lot of associated water. Several reservoirs in mature areas run already close to 90% water cut or more (i.e. for each gallon of crude 9 gallons of water are produced). And, that the water produced by hydrocarbon reservoirs is always additional to existing biosphere quantities. Furthermore, produced gas burning converts? into Carbon oxides, but also in to water.
True is that water requirements are growing, but not necessarily linked to energy requirements. The optimization of water resources is a critical issue for society, which is particularly based and functions on a short term renewable supply of water. Decommissioning of obsolete plants is therefore very important, while CCS (carbon capture and sequestration) practices may not be the best way to optimize resources. The same may apply to some renewable sources and to nuclear plants. It is difficult to say at this stage, also because the article is fairly specific. An important issue, in my view neglected by the article, is that water resources are yes distributable, but historically only over short ranges. The same applies to water treatment standards, these being very different across the world. We do have strict fuel standards in countries that have no drinkable or insufficient water supply standards, or no water at all. The limits of globalization have never been clearer.
Perhaps is not so foolish to believe that economic reasons will prevail, and, as societies tend to improve and preserve their economic being, water resources and optimization will be? constantly pursued.?
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Analyses are solely the work of the authors and have not been edited or endorsed by GLG.

Source: http://www.glgroup.com/News/Water-and-Energy-54670.html

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