What is Produced Water?

 Produced wate is salty wate that comes up during oil and gas extractions- a blend of ancient seawater, groundwater, and small amounts of process water from production activities. Our work brings together scientists, local communities, tribal nations, businesses, and policymakers. Together, we’re finding smart and safe ways to turn a waste product into a valuable water resource for the future.

Why does it matter?

As New Mexico's larget oil and gas waste stream, it is generated mostly in the Permian Basin. More than 260 million gallons of produced water are generated each day. Because of the large amount of produced water scientists and experts are looking at ways to treat and reuse it for different purposes. These uses include cooling systems, manufacturing, making hydrogen, watering plants, restoring rangeland, and adding water back into rivers. The type of treatment needed depends on how clean the water is and how it will be used. Because of New Mexico's drought, low rainfall, and required water deliveries lowering the states fresh water supply, safely treating produced water has gotten interest to help protect the state's limited freshwater supply.

Testing Timeline