Feasibility Study: Green Hydrogen (GH2) Production via Electrolysis of Produced Disposal Water from Mature Oil Fields

Technology area / topic:
Carbon-free energy supply — Green hydrogen, water electrolysis, CO₂ utilization (R&D / feasibility stage)

Summary:
This is an R&D project proposal, not yet an operating or pilot conversion process. Mature oil fields generate large and growing volumes of produced water (water-oil ratios up to 10–30:1), which today represents 20–35% of operating costs and a rising environmental/regulatory liability. Our proposal is to develop, together with research and technology institutes, a technical and economic study to assess the conversion of this produced water into green hydrogen (H2V) through electrolysis — covering water treatment/pre-conditioning requirements, electrolysis process design, energy balance, and a preliminary techno-economic evaluation (EVTE).
Building on this core H2V route, the study will also explore, at a conceptual/desk-study level, downstream valorization pathways for the hydrogen produced — including direct use in industrial decarbonization (e.g., refining, green ammonia, green steel) and Power-to-Liquid synthetic fuels (Fischer-Tropsch diesel/SAF, and methanol-to-gasoline), combining H2V with the CO₂ already present in the associated natural gas of these fields.
Competitive rationale (to be validated through the study):
Mature oil fields have on-site access to CO₂ in their associated gas (3–15% vol.), at an estimated cost far below Direct Air Capture (DAC) sources (~USD 300–600/tonne). This potential cost advantage is one of the hypotheses the proposed study aims to technically and economically validate.
Current status:
This is a project proposal at the concept/study stage, being submitted to research and technology institutes (ICTs) for evaluation of their potential participation as R&D partners. No pilot, demonstration, or conversion infrastructure exists yet. The intention is to structure a joint R&D consortium to carry out the technical and economic feasibility study as the foundation for future phased innovation road.