Modelling the Effects of Produced Water Discharge in an Aquatic Ecosystem: A Case Study of the Brass River

Produced Water (PW) constitutes a major waste from the production and processing of crude oil, consequently posing a major concern for the environment. Location of the production facility poses a greater risk to environment as this affects how the PW will be handled. Whilst many companies have come up with technologies and processes for the treatment and re-use of PW, treatment and disposal is still a common practice, particularly in the offshore environment. This study demonstrates that the Streeter-Phelps model (S-P model) can be used to evaluate the effect of produced water discharged on water bodies. This was done by comparing the result of an Environmental Evaluation Studies (EES) performed on the Brass River with the S-P model result. Similar trends/results were obtained, implying that the S-P model can be applied for quick determination of the effect on a river. This is important and useful for quick determination of the effect of the PW discharge in real-time and economically.