Utilisation of Oyster Shells Powder for Modification of Acidic Oilfield Produced Water for Reuse and Re-injection
Steven N. Ogbole
World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence for Oilfield Chemicals Research, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Leo C. Osuji
World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence for Oilfield Chemicals Research, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Petroleum & Environmental Chemistry Research Group, Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt, East-West Road, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria and Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development (INRES), University of Port Harcourt, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Mudiaga C. Onojake *
World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence for Oilfield Chemicals Research, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Petroleum & Environmental Chemistry Research Group, Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt, East-West Road, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria and Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development (INRES), University of Port Harcourt, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Oysters are bivalve mollusks primarily found around the coastal areas. However, oyster shells are indiscriminately disposed of causing many negative effects on the ecosystem. This study aims to increase its recycling awareness through the utilization of the shells to adjust the pH value of acidic produced water samples C7T, AZ-ST1 & AZ-ST 2 collected from an oilfield in Bayelsa State, Nigeria for reuse and reinjection. Oyster shells were pulverized and characterized using the FTIR technique. The performance of the pulverized oyster shells (POS) was tested for pH modification of produced water for reinjection by using 100g and 200g of the POS placed in a column and allowing 200mL of the untreated produced water samples to pass through each set up and varying contact time (30, 60 & 90 min). The pH level of the UPW samples gradually increased from 6.3-6.5 to reach 8.2-8.5 after 90 min. The study suggests that POS is a potential and sustainable alternative agent for modifying the pH of reinjected produced water to prevent scale formation, corrosion of facilities and reservoir plugging.
Keywords: Produced water, oyster shells, reinjection, reuse