NETL experts who specialize in water management issues are attending the North American Shale Water Management Conference in Houston, Texas, this week to exchange ideas and focus on the conference topic of “Reducing the Cost of Water Recycling and Reuse” in energy production.

The conference, which runs through Friday, presents an opportunity for leading water management experts and key regulators to meet with shale operators and service companies to explore new cost-effective water treatment, sourcing, disposal, and storage solutions for North American shale plays.

NETL, which pioneered new methods for accessing oil and gas shale plays through innovative technologies, has growing expertise in water management research. Participation in the conference reinforces the Laboratory’s outreach and partnering initiative to bring new technologies to bear on addressing energy and water issues.

The conference is geared toward shale operators, upstream service companies, technology providers, and key stakeholders who are interested in “making an economic assessment for developing shale water management operations, and to learn more about water management strategies to improve efficiencies and reduce costs.”

Specific focus areas for the conference include:

• Making an economic assessment for shale water management strategies.
• Looking for low-cost and low-risk solutions in water treatment, recycling and reuse.
• Evaluating the options and making choices in treatment-for-reuse and water-disposal.
• New technologies and technical know-how in shale water management operations.
• Upcoming regulations and industry standards for produced water management.
• Operational case studies and developing a successful water management program.

NETL develops and commercializes advanced technologies that provide reliable and affordable solutions to America's energy challenges. NETL’s work supports DOE’s mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States.