The Midland Basin’s South Curtis Ranch treatment facility has passed a milestone, treating and recycling 50 MMbbl of produced water in the past three years, the companies that run the site said on May 20.

Houston’s Select Water Solutions and Occidental Petroleum have collaborated at the facility since 2021. Long-term water programs and water-collection systems connected to a network of production wells allow companies to reduce freshwater consumption and waste.

“Reaching this milestone at one of our flagship facilities is a testament to the hard work and dedication of both teams. This facility not only delivers value to our operator partners but also provides significant environmental benefits to the community,” John Schmitz, Select’s chairman, president and CEO said in a May 20 press release.

Water is a key part of the fracking process, as it’s pumped into the ground to free oil and gas trapped in shale rock. For each barrel of oil produced in the Permian Basin, about three to six barrels of produced water come to the surface with it.

“By treating and reusing produced water, we use technology and collaboration to reduce water consumption and preserve a precious resource,” said Thaimar Ramirez, president and general manager of Occidental’s Midland Basin Business Unit.

Onshore