The future of the oil and gas industry depends on its ability to effectively manage water resources. To advance water-related technology, in 2010 ConocoPhillips inaugurated its Global Water Sustainability Center (GWSC) at Doha’s Qatar Science and Technology Park.

2020 marked 10 years of investigative problem-solving, educational outreach and research that advances the science around produced water treatment, seawater desalination and water reuse and recycling. Establishing the center presented unique challenges.

“It was ConocoPhillips’ first research center outside its Bartlesville, Okla. labs, and advanced water technology research was a new frontier for the company,” said GWSC Manager Samer Adham. “It was also located near a non-operated production asset, so we had to develop relationships within Qatar and demonstrate our value in order to gain access to operations.”

“GWSC has played a critical role in developing and maintaining our excellent relationships with stakeholders in Qatar,” said Chief Financial Officer Bill Bullock. “Throughout the business community, government institutions and universities, the center is valued for its specialized expertise, problem-solving approach and can-do attitude. It’s a great example of a small, talented and diverse team having an outsized impact.”

GWSC cut its teeth providing support and testing for the startup of the Qatargas 3 liquefied natural gas megatrain and continues to provide specialized technical support to the company and local governmental organizations.

In 2010, Doha lacked the in country analytical capabilities necessary to support QatarGas 3 and 4. Samples had to be sent to labs outside the country, hampering progress.

“We engaged in investigative troubleshooting and daily analyses during the startup to ensure correct chemicals were being added for flow assurance,” said Principal Engineer Arnie Janson.

Since 2012, Qatargas has designed and built industrial wastewater recycling plants for its Qatargas 2, 3 (partly owned by ConocoPhillips) and 4 facilities. GWSC provided process engineering support with respect to design and plant commissioning.

“In a synergy integration project, we evaluated the technical feasibility of diverting wastewater from other trains to the new water recycling plants to reduce costs. A comprehensive analysis showed that the project was feasible and integration is under review,” said Janson.

“A key part of our legacy — and a component of the country’s national vision – is this transfer of technology to the Qataris in our office and at Qatargas,” said Janson. “Ten years ago, that expertise wasn’t here. Now ConocoPhillips has a brand.”

The GWSC team is currently working to develop methods for chemical analysis at Ekofisk in the Norwegian Sea and Teesside in the U.K.

“We receive samples from Teesside and Ekofisk to monitor corrosion inhibitor residuals in the pipeline,” said Scientist Eman Al Shamari. “We also develop analytical methods for new corrosion inhibitor products. These projects demonstrate the value of GWSC’s state-of-the-art laboratories to ConocoPhillips’ business units around the world.”

GWSC also has supported ConocoPhillips’ Lower 48 and Surmont business units on ion exchange, a key process in water management. “We evaluated two new ion exchange resins, comparing them against existing products, and found that one was better than the one we were using,” Senior Engineer Joel Minier Matar said. “We qualified the better solution and delivered it to the operations team to consider in future facility upgrades.”

Pioneering technologies

Of more than 15 water technologies evaluated by the GWSC team, two have been fully implemented: membrane bioreactors and reverse osmosis. Forward osmosis is currently being pilot tested.

“Membrane bioreactors, used to remove organics, are being installed at Qatargas to treat process water from natural gas trains,” said Engineer Dareen Dardor. “Once the organics are removed, the water goes to the reverse osmosis unit for desalination and is used as boiler feedwater.”

The cornerstone of GWSC’s education effort is the Water Visitor Center, where a series of interactive displays appeals to young and old.

“The center was a new concept for Doha and one of which we’re very proud,” Adham said.

In 2019, upgrades to the Water Visitor Center added more hands-on, interactive displays and a section featuring innovation and technology.

“The new section gives us an opportunity to show students what we do, why we wanted to become engineers, and encourages students to consider a STEM education,” said Engineer Dareen Dardor.

Looking to the future

Over the next five years, the GWSC team will increase its focus on unique flow assurance investigative analysis for Qatargas and ConocoPhillips operations.

“GWSC will remain a center of excellence for advanced technologies in oil and gas water management. Of course, there will be challenges as our industry’s focus on innovation grows,” Adham said. “We look forward to conducting more field qualifications with the goal of enhancing GWSC’s international exposure and affirming its high-tech brand.”