In an exciting milestone for The University of Tulsa and the broader energy sector, researchers in the College of Engineering & Computer Science have been awarded $1.5 million by the U.S. Department of Energy to develop innovative solutions for treating and reusing produced water. This groundbreaking project marks a significant advancement in addressing one of the petroleum industry’s most pressing challenges: managing “produced water” (PW), a byproduct of horizontal oil and gas drilling.
The growth of horizontal drilling in the early-2000s was hailed as an extraordinary opportunity to help the United States achieve energy independence. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, horizontal wells accounted for roughly 15% of U.S. crude oil and natural gas production in 2004. By 2018, they accounted for more than 95%. Yet one downside was the produced water byproduct from horizontal drilling. Now, a UTulsa team is poised to help turn what was once seen as waste into a critical resource.
Led by principal investigator Ram Mohan, Ph.D. and professor of mechanical engineering, and Nagu Daraboina, Ph.D. and associate professor of chemical engineering, the team is focused on reducing the environmental impact of the 24 billion barrels of produced water generated annually across the country. Their groundbreaking approach will not only tackle the immediate challenges but also open new doors for water reuse, setting a precedent for sustainability and economic opportunity.
Their project, titled “Produced Water Treatment using Compact Separator System,” will consist of two related studies:
- Produced Water Cleaning and Conditioning: Developing an optimized Integrated Compact Separation System to efficiently clean and condition produced water to levels suitable for hydrate-based desalination technology.
- Produced Water Desalination: Enhancing clathrate hydrate-based desalination to enable water reuse by overcoming barriers such as high energy consumption and slow crystal separation, while improving cost-effectiveness.
In practical terms, the research team is developing a system that can quickly and effectively separate contaminants from the water, making it suitable for further purification. Once cleaned, the water can then be desalinated using technology that removes salts and impurities, making it usable for other purposes.
Transforming waste into a valuable resource
With global freshwater supplies under increasing pressure, reusing produced water offers a vital opportunity to offset water scarcity. As the world embraces sustainability, the ability to clean and recycle produced water holds the promise of reducing environmental risks and contributing to essential water systems across various sectors.
Daraboina envisions a future where this technology can significantly impact industries beyond energy. “By transforming waste into a valuable resource, we can reduce the strain on freshwater resources while enabling water reuse in multiple industries,” he said. From wastewater purification in metropolitan areas to agricultural and industrial water reuse — and even potable water supplies — this project has the potential to make a lasting impact.
A legacy of innovation
This research builds upon the pioneering compact separation technology developed at UTulsa over the past three decades. With more than 9,200 field applications worldwide, the university’s commitment to innovation in energy and sustainability continues to be a driving force in shaping the future of environmental technology.
The project, which will run through March 2027, represents a forward-thinking approach to solving some of the most pressing challenges of today’s energy and water management sectors. By combining cutting-edge research with real-world application, Mohan, Daraboina, and their team are not only advancing scientific knowledge but also inspiring new possibilities for industries worldwide.
With this latest initiative, The University of Tulsa remains at the forefront of addressing global sustainability challenges, turning innovative ideas into impactful solutions.