Optimal reuse of flowback wastewater in hydraulic fracturing including seasonal and environmental constraints

Abstract

This article presents a mathematical programing formulation for the optimal management of flowback water in shale gas wells. The formulation accounts for the time‐based generation of the flowback water, the options for treatment, storage, reuse, and disposal. The economic and environmental objectives are considered. The economic objective function is aimed at determining the minimum cost for the fresh water, treatment, storage, disposals, and transportation. The environmental objectives account for the fresh water usage and wastewater discharge. To carry out the water integration, a reuse network including treatment is proposed. Additionally, the model considers seasonal fluctuations in the fresh water availability. A given scheduling for the completion phases of the wells is required to implement the methodology. Finally, an example problem is presented to show the applicability of the proposed methodology. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 1634–1645, 2016