Technical Approaches to Remediating Chloride-impacted Soils from Produced Water
Authored by: Kathleen Buxton, PG & Emmett Spooner, PG
Produced water generated during oil and gas exploration and production varies widely in chemical composition and typically contains elevated concentrations of chlorides, hydrocarbons, and other constituents of concern. As wells mature, produced water volumes often increase, resulting in greater potential for soil impacts and more complex remediation requirements. Produced water regulations and closure criteria have become more stringent, particularly with respect to chloride-impacted soils.
On Tuesday, March 17 at 9am, as part of an AEHS West Presentation entitled “Why So Salty? Minimization of Dig-and-Haul Practices for Soil Remediation of Chlorides and Other Constituents Utilizing Proven Topical Biocatalyst Technology Applications,” Roux and Catawater will present a technically-focused evaluation of alternative remediation strategies for chloride-impacted soils that reduce reliance on excavation while lowering overall project carbon footprint. Below, we’ve summarized the challenges that often arise from produced water remediation projects for operators and environmental practitioners.
Technical and Regulatory Challenges
- Produced water releases can result in persistent chloride impacts that are not effectively addressed by traditional hydrocarbon-focused soil treatments.
- Regulatory standards increasingly require demonstrable reduction of chloride concentrations to site-specific cleanup criteria.
- Conventional dig-and-haul and excavation-based remedies can be effective, but are often cost-prohibitive, logistically complex, and carbon-intensive.
- Many topical treatment technologies historically target total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but do not address inorganic salt constituents.
These challenges necessitate remediation approaches that address both organic and inorganic contaminants while minimizing soil disturbance and secondary environmental impacts.
What can Roux do to help?
For nearly 45 years, Roux has delivered comprehensive, cost-effective solutions for challenging environmental issues by integrating our engineering, scientific, and insurance professionals with remediation subcontractors. We are committed to supporting operators and environmental practitioners with practical strategies that address technical and regulatory challenges while minimizing project costs and environmental impact.
Among the remediation options successfully employed by Roux is the use of Catawater®, an innovative organic biocatalyst applied as a topical soil treatment to address produced water release sites affected by both chloride and petroleum hydrocarbon contamination. A biocatalyst applied directly to impacted soils will function by stimulating naturally occurring microbial populations, accelerating biogeochemical processes that facilitate contaminant reduction and stabilization.
Key technical attributes and outcomes include:
- Simultaneous treatment of chlorides, TPHs, and VOCs without soil excavation.
- Reduction in excavation volumes and associated transportation-related emissions.
- Field-validated performance across multiple oil and gas remediation sites.
- Demonstrated regulatory acceptance, including No Further Action (NFA) determinations without removal of impacted soils.
- Reduced overall project carbon footprint relative to traditional remedial approaches.
Roux encompasses extensive remediation experience on sites, achieving closure through in situ treatment of native soils within the release footprint. We apply a high level of professional skill across a broad range of scientific, engineering, and managerial disciplines to address the environmental challenges facing the energy industry. As you navigate the difficulty of cost-effectively remediating produced water releases, we offer support and guidance tailored to your needs. Please contact our team with any questions or concerns below.
