Журнал нефтяной и экологической биотехнологии

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Management of Produced Water from Oil Fields in Niger Delta using Selected Agricultural Wastes

Udeagbara SG*, Isehunwa SO, Okereke NU, Oguama IA, Oyebode OJ

Produced water, which is the biggest waste output from oil and gas well production, contains a number of hazardous components, ranging from heavy metals to soluble hydrocarbons and numerous contaminants. To guarantee compliance with best worldwide practices, it is suggested that sufficient treatment, monitoring, and re-use as the case may be for this waste water in the Niger Delta region be implemented.

Produced water samples were taken from different oil fields in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Samples R was taken from an oil field in Imo River; sample X was taken from an oil field in Nembe, sample Y was picked from an oil field in Kolo creek, while sample Z was taken from Awoba oil field, all in Niger Delta region (4). The contaminants analyzed in these samples were chloride, carbonates and bicarbonates, sulphate as well as the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).

The local materials (agricultural wastes) were thoroughly washed with water to remove unwanted materials that may stick on them. The materials were slice into pieces; dried under the sun for over 72 hours during hammer time season, and were further dried in an oven at 105°C for 3 hours for orange and banana peels, 150°C for 30 minutes for luffa cylindrica, and 3 hours for palm kernel fiber at 80°C to remove any adsorbed gas(s). Each was milled and sieved into 150 and 300 micron sizes and stored for the analysis.

For sample R treated with banana peels, orange peels, palm kernel fiber and luffa cylindrical in that order, the percentage reduction in the chloride concentrations were 52.94%, 60.78%, 37.25% and 43% respectively, for sample X the reductions were 54.54%, 63.64%, 45.45% and 50.90% respectively, for sample Y the reductions were 57.61%, 64.27%, 46.56% and 48.16% respectively while for sample Z, it was found to be 56.60%, 52.28%, 46.08% and 50.28% respectively. The finer local material (adsorbent) having more surface area was more efficient in the treatment. Similar results were as well obtained for carbonate and bicarbonate, sulphate and Total Dissolve Solids (TDS) from samples obtained from other oil fields.

Produced water samples obtained from oil fields in Niger Delta were successfully treated of impurities using the selected local materials. 150 micron size gave the best results.