The need for effective water management in the oil and gas industry is becoming increasingly urgent as costs continue to rise. With this in mind, a number of startups are emerging with innovative solutions to address this issue. One such company is Espiku, a Halliburton-backed startup based in Bend, Oregon.
Founded by Bahman Abbasi, an associate professor of energy systems engineering at Oregon State University-Cascades, Espiku has been selected as one of five energy startups to collaborate with Halliburton Labs. This subsidiary of Halliburton Co. provides support to businesses by offering access to facilities, networks, and financing.
Espiku’s technology focuses on turning produced water into clean, reusable water while also recovering valuable minerals. This not only reduces the need for water disposal but also creates additional value. The company plans to begin a pilot project in the next few months at one of four possible sites in the Permian Basin, Fort Worth, or the Bakken.
The pilot project will involve a three-stage separation process, starting with a density separation to remove most of the oil and heavy organic materials. Next, a dehumidification process is used to extract water from the system without causing any damage. The final stage involves condensing water from the gaseous stream.
Espiku’s main goal for the pilot project is to demonstrate the system’s ability to function with minimal human intervention, produce high-quality water, and be financially viable. Additionally, the company plans to recover useful minerals such as lithium, magnesium, cobalt, and nickel from the side streams, providing a profitable byproduct for companies in the Permian Basin.
The importance of effective water management in the oil and gas industry was highlighted by Amanda Brock, CEO of Aris Water Solutions, at Hart Energy’s DUG Executive Oil Conference & Expo in November. She emphasized that with the vast amount of water being produced, it is crucial to have proper management systems in place.
Abbasi also expects a surge in technology to address this issue, thanks to legislative incentives in Texas. Espiku is proud to be at the forefront of this movement and offers a major advantage with its ability to handle a wide range of water compositions.
Espiku’s equipment uses a three-stage process to remove oils and organic materials from produced water. The company’s first water-cleaning system is set to be installed at an undetermined site in the coming months. (Source: Espiku)
Original Article: https://www.hartenergy.com/exclusives/halliburton-backed-startup-espiku-nears-water-treatment-pilot-211874