API PUBL 4783

Abstract

The oil and gas industry has significant connections to the water environment. Water is beneficially used, consumed, generated, reused, recycled, and disposed of over the life cycle of an oil and gas resource. The degree and impact of these connections vary with the nature and location of the resource and the methods of extracting and converting that resource into valuable end products. This report uses the oil and gas (petroleum) life cycle represented in Figure 1 as an organizing framework for explanation and discussion. As depicted in Figure 1, the scope of this study is focused on the midstream, downstream, and delivery components of the oil and gas life cycle. Upstream components of the life cycle will be addressed in a future report. This study is intended to inform stakeholders about how the oil and gas industry uses water in the petroleum life cycle (midstream, downstream, and delivery phases) and the different industry-led and regulatory practices employed to conserve and protect water resources. Specifically, within its scope, the study: — describes water use in each life cycle stage; — describes water management and stewardship practices employed by the industry, including when these practices may and may not be feasible; — describes the existing regulatory framework governing the oil and gas industry and its use, management, and protection of water resources and the environment; — provides a quantitative summary of the water footprint for typical operations; — illustrates oil and gas industry water use in context with other industry and societal uses. This study provides stakeholders with a more thorough understanding of oil and gas industry water management and stewardship in midstream, downstream, and delivery operations. The study does not endeavor to address other media such as air emissions or residual streams.