Water is an essential need. Its use is facing more and more pressure with increased demand. Jurisdictions are challenged to ensure access to water related to the quality and quantity necessary to carry out activities in a sustainable manner. As part of that, water is required by all forms of major energy production. Water quality, efficiency, use and availability are pertinent when it comes to the challenges facing this finite resource. Improved water management and sustainable use of non-potable water resources are needed to meet these challenges.
While water is a relatively finite and threatened resource, there are many ways to ensure it is used efficiently and sustainably by industry from drilling to extraction, heating and cooling to treatment, disposal and transport. While strict water usage regulations limit daily withdrawals from waterways and freshwater from underground aquifers, many process improvements have been implemented at sites to reduce water consumption and energy intensity in industrial processes.
For instance, about 94 percent of in-situ oil sands water is recycled. The oil sands industry uses less water than unconventional production in other jurisdictions in North America. Water monitoring is achieved to help maintain high water quality. Process control optimization leads to reduced unplanned downtime, efficient operations, high water quality, and reduced energy costs – all of which have a positive impact on industrial performance and our environment.