Oilfield produced water accounts for the largest volume of waste matter that is generated in the crude oil production process. Global produced water generation is estimated at around 250million barrels per day, compared with around 80 million barrels per day of oil, resulting in a water-to-oil ratio of around 3:1. Oil is also a common pollutant of wastewaters in other industries, such as general metal-working, etc. In particular, oily waters from onshore and offshore industry and from the engine rooms of ships (bilge waters) are the effluents that contain the highest levels of oil.Produced water must always be cleaned to some extent, depending on the intended use and/or current discharge regulations. The handling and management of produced water have been an issue of concern for oil and gas producers as produced water is one of the major factors that causes product abandonment. Currently, produced water is typically disposed of in injection wells as waste or for pressure maintenance of the reservoir.
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