Characterization of Formation Water Constituents and the Effect of Fresh Water Dilution from Land Rig Location of the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

The research work examined the constituents of formation water and fresh water dilution effects from a land location in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria. Some selected physicochemical and microbiological analyses were determined at ambient temperature (82oF) and formation temperature (185oF). Analysis of the mixture of the formation water and fresh water were carried out at various ratios of (90/10 and 50/50) % respectively. Test results indicated that dilution effect of the fresh water on the formation sample resulted in reduction in concentrations of most of the parameters both at the ambient and formation temperatures. However, some physicochemical parameters like (pH, TDS and Electrical conductivity) showed higher concentration values at formation temperature than ambient temperature. While the pH values for the 90/10 ratio at both ambient and formation temperatures gave 4.80 and 6.35 respectively, the values for the 50/50 ratio at both ambient and formation temperatures were 5.26 and 7.94 respectively. The oil & grease values for 90/10 ratio at both ambient and formation temperature were 0.32(mg/l) and 0.2(mg/l) respectively. While the 50/50 ratio at both ambient and formation temperatures were 2.70(mg/l) and 0.6(mg/l) respectively. The iron concentration for the 90/10 and 50/50 ratios at both ambient and formation temperatures were 0.08, 0.08 (mg/l) and 0.09, 0.11 (mg/l) respectively. There was no incompatibility in terms of precipitation observed with the different mixtures at both temperatures. In order to safely dispose formation water in compliance with environmental regulations, dilution with uncontaminated fresh water is recommended