North Dakota has long struggled with recurring droughts, impacting everything from agriculture to municipal water supplies. With nearly 67% of the state currently experiencing drought conditions, including 4.6% classified as extreme drought (D3-D4), water conservation and management have never been more critical. Industries that rely heavily on water, such as oil and gas, must implement solutions to minimize their impact and improve sustainability.
Flatirons Chemicals is at the forefront of water treatment in the oil and gas sector, providing advanced chemical solutions that optimize water use, enhance efficiency, and reduce environmental strain. Through our mobile frac water treatment, produced water recycling, and emulsion treatment solutions, we’re dedicated to making water preservation efforts effortless for gas and oil companies.
The oil and gas industry is one of the largest water consumers in North Dakota. Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations require millions of gallons of water per well, and this demand can be particularly problematic during periods of drought. However, water usage doesn’t end there. Once extracted, oil and gas are mixed with water—often saline and contaminated— as produced water. Properly managing this wastewater is essential for both operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Without proper treatment and recycling, water used in oilfield operations is often disposed of in underground injection wells, permanently removing it from the water cycle. Flatirons Chemicals offers innovative treatment solutions that help reduce reliance on fresh water and ensure that more water is recycled and reused, making a tangible impact on water conservation efforts in the region.
Flatirons Chemicals' mobile frac water treatment systems are designed to filter and treat the water used in hydraulic fracturing, enabling operators to recycle and reuse it on-site. This process drastically reduces the need for freshwater withdrawals from local sources—an especially crucial benefit in drought-stricken areas.
Treating and reusing water on-site reduces the strain on local aquifers, rivers, and reservoirs. This ensures that more water remains available for essential needs like agriculture and community use—two sectors deeply impacted by drought conditions.
On-site water treatment prevents unnecessary water loss, keeping more water in circulation instead of permanently removing it through deep-well injection. Additionally, reducing the need to haul water from distant sources lessens the burden on already depleted water supplies while cutting emissions tied to water transportation.
Utilizing treated water keeps oil and gas wells operating at peak performance with minimal environmental impact, reducing the risk of excessive water use in future operations. This long-term approach supports regional water conservation efforts, helping industries operate more efficiently in drought-prone areas.
Flatirons Chemicals’ mobile frac water treatment solutions allow energy producers to operate responsibly while preserving water for the communities, farms, and ecosystems that need it most.
Beyond frac water, produced water—the water that surfaces with oil and gas extraction—poses challenges and opportunities in drought conditions. This water is often laden with salts, hydrocarbons, and other contaminants, making it unfit for direct discharge or reuse without treatment. Historically, produced water was simply injected back into disposal wells, but that practice removes billions of gallons from the ecosystem. Our tailored produced water treatment solutions transform a waste byproduct into a reusable resource.
Our custom-formulated biocides eliminate bacteria and other contaminants from produced water, making it safe for reuse in drilling operations. This reduces the need for freshwater withdrawals, helping preserve limited water supplies for communities, agriculture, and ecosystems.
Instead of removing billions of gallons of water from the water cycle, our treatment processes allow operators to recycle and repurpose produced water. This approach keeps more water available in drought-prone areas, easing the burden on local water sources.
As water scarcity becomes a more significant challenge, regulatory oversight is increasing. Our solutions help companies stay ahead of evolving environmental regulations while reducing operational risks associated with water disposal.
By investing in produced water treatment, operators can turn a waste product into a sustainable water source—helping to conserve freshwater, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen North Dakota’s water resilience.
In a region where every drop counts, Flatirons Chemicals provides the solutions to help industries operate responsibly while protecting vital water resources. Through our mobile frac water treatment and produced water recycling solutions, we help operators reduce dependence on freshwater, keep more water in circulation, and limit unnecessary waste.
Ready to learn more? Contact us today.