GE has been selected to build key components for ProWater’s Centerline SWD™ modular saltwater disposal (SWD) and deep injection well (DIW) systems, which separate oil, water and other byproducts produced in oil and gas operations.
ProWater, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sustainable Environmental Technology Corp. (SET Corp), based in Southern California, develops technology for disposing saltwater produced from oil and gas wells. Demand for removing produced water is increasing, mirroring the oil and gas production boom in North Dakota’s Bakken Shale formation where the majority of the Centerline SWD™ systems will be used in deep injection wells.
"GE Oil & Gas has a proven reputation for manufacturing quality oil and gas production equipment that meets the usability and durability requirements of rigorous oil field environments," said Keith Morlock, president of ProWater.
"GE’s horizontal injection surface pumping systems (SPS), variable speed drives and logic control devices are well-suited for the construction of our advanced Centerline SWD saltwater disposal systems. We are working closely with GE to quickly ramp up production of our improved, modular SWD/DIW design, to improve efficiency and meet demands from Bakken Shale oil and gas producers."
"Oil and gas production companies need to resolve the issues of how to dispose of the salt, oil and mineral-laden water resulting from oil and gas production," added Morlock.
"In North Dakota and other oil and gas regions, the only government-authorized solution is injection into SWD/DIW wells with similar water that lies far below drinking water sources. With GE modular solutions and other strategic partners, we are able to maintain full manufacturing and construction capacity year round, which provides us with a competitive advantage."
GE Oil & Gas’ horizontal surface pumping systems feature directly-coupled, multistage centrifugal pumps designed for high pressure, low- to- medium-flow, environmentally sensitive applications. Used to inject produced saltwater into deep injection wells in conjunction with the Centerline SWD system, the SPS pumps have low maintenance requirements, a long run-life and can be easily modified in the field. The addition of variable speed drives and logic control systems will lower operating costs, improve SPS and Centerline SWD reliability, as well as provide intelligent monitoring and control capabilities.
"Our SPS systems, drives and controls are a natural fit with ProWater, and we are eager to support the growth of such an environmentally responsible, efficient, byproduct disposal system," said Gareth Ford, president and CEO of GE Oil & Gas’ Artificial Lift segment.
"ProWater is a pioneer in the field of sustainable technology, and we are looking forward to a successful partnership developing innovative solutions to solve today’s environmental challenges."
ProWater expects to deliver the first Centerline SWD system in North Dakota by the end of January 2012, with projected completion by March 2012. The next three wells will be completed in June, September and November 2012, respectively. In 2013, three additional wells will be completed, totaling seven in the North Dakota Bakken Shale.
The proprietary Centerline SWD system utilizes green technology to efficiently separate oil, water and other byproducts produced in oil and gas operations. This three-pronged separation approach enables ProWater to derive revenue and safely dispose of the remaining components by selling oil to refiners and providing filtered water for use in hydraulic fracturing or water injection. Applied to approved formations, this re-used injected water reaches thousands of feet below potential ground water zones.