Freshwater Neutral: Managing Water Use and Giving Back to the Environment

Nov. 6, 2018


Description

Managing water use and giving back to the environment will be the focus of this Distinguished Lecturer talk. The presentation will highlight the challenges encountered, lessons learned, and best practices encountered when companies implement efforts to become better stewards of freshwater resources. Karen will also review specific case studies related to Southwestern Energy’s “Freshwater Neutral” initiative, successfully achieved in 2016 within all operating divisions.

The case study will cover how in early 2013, a small multi-discipline team was assembled and closely evaluated all elements within the operational water life cycle, identifying cost-competitive ways to optimize the company’s freshwater usage. Key components for success required: 

  • commitment from company leadership and support across all operations;
  • setting achievable, operational goals;
  • accounting for all water used;
  • applying new completion designs and technologies;
  • increasing the use of alternative, non-fresh water, and
  • supporting research in groundwater protection and water treatment technologies.

The presentation will cover how the focus areas highlighted above dramatically reduced freshwater requirements by up to 30% in some operating areas and saved the operator over $20 million US dollars.

The successful work revealed that another component was still required in order for companies to completely offset the need for their remaining freshwater use. The talk will discuss the importance of investing in conservation projects to improve freshwater resources within basins where operations are occurring. Each project should be selected and sponsored to provide both an environmental benefit as well as an economic benefit to the surrounding communities.

Take away message: Achieving a freshwater neutral status requires improvements in everyday work practices and a change in the mindset of water management across a company. As a result, the practices implemented will allow for the use of alternative water sources whenever economically and operationally feasible, and the conservation projects have added value to local communities.


Featured Speakers

Speaker: Karen Olson
Speaker Karen Olson

Karen Olson, Director of Technologies for Southwestern Energy Company (SWN), served as Director of the Strategic Solutions Team which was accountable for leading SWN’s Freshwater Neutral initiative. Other positions held at SWN include Corporate Completion Engineering Chief.
Olson has been a Completion/Reservoir Engineer for more than 30 years with expertise in …

Karen Olson, Director of Technologies for Southwestern Energy Company (SWN), served as Director of the Strategic Solutions Team which was accountable for leading SWN’s Freshwater Neutral initiative. Other positions held at SWN include Corporate Completion Engineering Chief.


Olson has been a Completion/Reservoir Engineer for more than 30 years with expertise in the design/modeling and operational execution of hydraulic fracturing.  Olson worked for BP as a Completion Team Leader in GOM Deep Water, and as the Stimulation Team Leader in the North Sea, and previously worked onshore US, offshore US and in the North Sea for Mobil.


Olson has been active with SPE for more than 30 years, in local sections, workshops, and conferences.  For seven years, she was a Guest Editor for the Deepwater and Hydraulic Fracturing section of the JPT (Journal of Petroleum Technology), authored 15 papers, and provided numerous presentations at SPE events. In 2009, she was awarded the SPE Gulf Coast Section Region Production and Operations Award.  She was the 2014-16 Chair for the SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Conference, served on the executive committee for the 2015 ATCE and was honored as a Distinguished Member of SPE.


Olson holds a BS degree in Petroleum Engineering from LSU and a MS degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M.  She currently serves on the Industry Board for the Petroleum Engineering Department at Texas A&M.

Full Description



Organizer

Kelly Steinberg

We look forward to meeting you at our next event!


 


Please indicate any dietary restrictions at the time of registration.


 


If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at kelly.steinberg@testamericainc.com or 713-204-7162.


Date and Time

Tue, Nov. 6, 2018

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
(GMT-0600) US/Central

Event has ended
View Our Refund and Cancellation Policy

Location

Marathon Oil Tower & Conference Center

5555 San Felipe
Houston, Texas 77056
United States

Visitors Parking has 3 levels. There are 2 elevators (V) for you to take to the LOBBY level. At the lobby: When you exit the elevator, you will see 6 other elevators Take any one of these 6 (C) UP to the 10th level Exit the elevators to the Conference …

Visitors Parking has 3 levels.


There are 2 elevators (V) for you to take to the LOBBY level.


At the lobby:


When you exit the elevator, you will see 6 other elevators


Take any one of these 6 (C) UP to the 10th level


Exit the elevators to the Conference Center

Full Description


Group(s): Water & Waste Mgmt