Abstract:
Produce water from oil and gas fields contributing in contamination of environment. This study was conducted to analyse the hydrocarbons present in produce water and soil of Sadqal Oil and Gas Field, Fateh Jhung, Pakistan. Produced water samples were collected from outside the oil and gas field, from various locations including two ponds and their outgoing stream. While composite samples of soil were collected from nearby pond area to analyse the impacts of produce water on surrounding soils. Hydrocarbon analysis was conducted through GC-MS, area normalization method. Results of the study indicate that over all concentration of oil and grease in produce water was above permissible limit as set by Pak-EPA at each point. While detailed analysis through GC-MS indicate that saturated, unsaturated, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons were found in produce water and soil samples taken from outside oil and gas field. Saturated hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons found in relatively higher percentage than unsaturated and cyclic hydrocarbons. Produce water samples without treatment contain average 48.07% saturated hydrocarbons and 46% aromatic hydrocarbons. While in soil samples unsaturated hydrocarbons present in the average percentage of 61.49% and aromatic hydrocarbons present in the average percentage of 26.5%. Results suggest that care should be exercised in the disposal and release of produced water containing these organic substances into the environment because of the potential toxicity of many of these substances. To reduce environmental impact there is a need to provide proper treatment for the removal of hydrocarbons from produce water so that their impacts on soil can be reduced.
