Recovering produced water as a high-quality water resource for oil and gas exploration is an emerging trend, with several operational facilities in the United States. RETTEW has been involved in the design, construction, and operations of many of these facilities. This experience, combined with our expertise in reverse osmosis design, enabled us to manage many critical areas at the Neptune Water Treatment Plant, including permitting, facility conceptual layout, and supporting facilities design. After a year of initial operations, the plant needed to rapidly increase capacity. Doing so required a review of the unique characteristics of the produced water for treatment, as trace contaminants and emerging contaminants can dramatically impact the required capital and operational costs of the long-term investment.

For the first phases of the operations evaluation and capacity improvement study, RETTEW identified areas of operational challenges and proposed solutions that would reduce operating costs, enhance the facility’s functional life, and increase hydraulic capacity. We found ways to boost facility throughput beyond its current functional and nameplate capacity at the lowest construction cost and on a rapid timeline. Nationally, this innovative facility is recognized as a successful addition to the produced water treatment field.