Abstract: Produced water from a crude oil or natural gas production process is purified using a membrane purification system for petroleum production, agricultural, commercial and domestic uses. The produced water is pretreated to remove, at least, particulates and oil from the produced water. The minimally pretreated water is then purified in a membrane purification system, that is operated at conditions such that membrane scaling is reduced or prevented. In particular, the membrane purification system is operated to maintain the turbidity of clarified water feed to the system or intermediate aqueous streams that are cascading through the membrane purification system. Ensuring that the turbidity of the reject streams generated in the membrane system are useful in achieving long membrane operating life.

Abstract: Produced water from a crude oil or natural gas production process is purified using a membrane purification system for petroleum production, agricultural, commercial and domestic uses. The produced water is pretreated to remove, at least, particulates and oil from the produced water. The minimally pretreated water is then purified in a membrane purification system, that is operated at conditions such that membrane scaling is reduced or prevented. In particular, the membrane purification system is operated to maintain the turbidity of clarified water feed to the system or intermediate aqueous streams that are cascading through the membrane purification system. Ensuring that the turbidity of the reject streams generated in the membrane system are useful in achieving long membrane operating life.

Abstract: Produced water from a crude oil or natural gas production process is purified using a membrane purification system for petroleum production, agricultural, commercial and domestic uses. The produced water is pretreated to remove, at least, particulates and oil from the produced water. The minimally pretreated water is then purified in a membrane purification system that is operated at conditions such that membrane scaling is reduced or prevented. In particular, the membrane purification system is operated to maintain the turbidity of clarified water feed to the system or intermediate aqueous streams that are cascading through the membrane purification system. Ensuring that the turbidity of the reject streams generated in the membrane system are useful in achieving long membrane operating life.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the percent recovery and water quality in water with high levels of hardness. Embodiments of the method include receiving a produced water composition, partially softening the water composition, and directing the partially softened water composition through at least one reverse osmosis unit. The method may be used to purify and clarify produced water from oil and gas operations for use in boilers or once-through steam generators.

Abstract: Oil is recovered from a mercury containing oily solids by mixing the solids with at least a treating agent selected from selected from flocculants, sulfidic compounds, demulsifiers, and combinations thereof, and optionally a solvent, forming a mixture. The mixture is then separated to recover a first phase containing treated oil having less than 50% of the original amount of mercury in the oily solids, and a second phase containing treated solids having a reduced concentration of mercury. The oily solids are selected from drilling muds; oily sediments coating inside of pipelines; sediment deposits on crude oil tanks, vessels, and separators; surface coating on equipment; slop oil from upstream operations; oily solids from heavy oil processing operations; solids recovered from processes for removing mercury from hydrocarbon materials; spill clean-up materials; and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the percent recovery and water quality in water with high levels of hardness. Embodiments of the method include receiving a produced water composition, partially softening the water composition, and directing the partially softened water composition through at least one reverse osmosis unit. The method may be used to purify and clarify produced water from oil and gas operations for use in boilers or once-through steam generators.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for enhancing the separation of oil-water micellar emulsion, such as those found in production fluid. Specifically, an embodiment of the invention is separating oil and water phases in recovered production fluid by adding an ionic salt such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and/or a high-molecular weight alcohol, such as 2-ethyl hexanol or decanol, to the production fluid. The production fluid may include fluids produced from an enhanced oil recovery method.