WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY

FACT SHEET

Note: Information is from vendor, however specifications may have 

changed. Contact vendor for updates. Water Treatment Catalog and Decision Tool

UV LIGHT

Process Description

UV light exists in a region between visible light and xrays, occupying a spatial spectrum between 1 to 400 

nanometers (1 nm = 10-9 meters). In the shale gas 

industry, ultraviolet (UV) light has recently been 

introduced as a treatment option to help reduce the 

volume of biocide required to kill or inhibit microbe 

growth in produced water that is intended for injection or 

re-use. The use of UV treatment typically takes place 

prior to adding chemicals to the water, such as biocides or 

friction reducers, since the presence of constituents in the 

water can alter the effectiveness of the treatment process.

Although the use of biocides is still necessary when UV 

treatment is used on make-up waters for microbe 

treatment, the volume of biocides needed are greatly 

reduced. This in turn reduces residual biocides in 

produced water and thus the degree of treatment such 

wastewater might require. The use of UV light has been 

shown to reduce bacteria comparable to the efficiency of 

biocides in a cost effective manner and the equipment 

used is usually small (footprint) and can be integrated 

with most production operations. Furthermore, with the 

application of UV light, there is no formation of 

disinfection byproduct. 

Technical Capabilities

UV light can be used to disinfect produced water and 

keep bacteria viruses, fungi, algae, and protozoa from 

reproducing. The use of UV light is not affected by pH, 

temperature, or total inorganic carbon.

The effectiveness of UV light on water treatment is 

dependent on the rate of fluid flow, intensity of the UV 

light source, and the transmittance level of the fluid (e.g., 

the ability to allow light to completely pass through). To 

achieve a level of effectiveness and success, the water 

needs to be irradiated at an intensity of 110 mW/m2 with 

254 nm light for one second and a transmittance rate of at 

least 50% at 80 barrels per minute (bpm).

Recent application of UV light in the Haynesville Shale to 

treat HVHF fluids for horizontal wells indicated water 

treatment rates reached up to 120 bpm with disinfection 

quality equal to or better than the use of biocides.

Volumes in the range of 3.4 to 3.7 million gallons of 

water were treated at an average rate of 80 bpm and 

initial concentrations of bacteria (1-10 million per cubic 

centimeter) were reduced by 99%. With the use of UV 

light, applied biocides to the water were reduced from 

5,000 gallons to 500 gallons for a 5-million gallon HVHF 

stimulation.

Technical Limitations

As stated, biocides are still required at reduced volumes 

for long-term protection from bacteria when used in 

conjunction with UV light treatment. UV light treatment 

has no residual kill capacity and as such, the effectiveness 

of the treatment is limited to waters which can be passed 

through the treatment system. Microbes or other 

organisms already present in the target formation are not 

Treatment Company

UV Light

Shale Gas Basin

Marcellus

Barnett

Haynesville

Fayetteville

Woodford

Ecosphere √ √ √

Halliburton √

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

 Can disinfect produced water and keep bacteria 

viruses, fungi, algae, and protozoa from 

reproducing.

 UV system is capable of reducing the volume of 

biocides from 5,000 gallons to 500 gallons for 5-

million gallon HVHF stimulation.

 Ecosphere estimates costs to treat water with 

their advanced oxidation process ranges from 

$0.60 to $0.75 per barrel (bbl).
WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY

FACT SHEET

Note: Information is from vendor, however specifications may have 

changed. Contact vendor for updates. Water Treatment Catalog and Decision Tool

affected by the UV water treatment process, nor are 

those that may be present in the additives or propants.

The performance of UV light water treatment on 

microbes in raw water is affected by the concentration of 

microbes, suspended solids, TDS (500 ppm) soluble 

molecules, humic acids and mineral 

concentrations. Pretreatment would be required to filter 

out these constituent types.

Because constituents in the make-up water may absorb 

the UV, decreasing its effectiveness at killing bacteria, the 

practice of reuse/recycling of produced water in 

subsequent fracture jobs may be incompatible with the 

process unless the TDS, etc., are at low enough 

concentrations that adsorption does not preclude 

sufficient transmittance for effective treatment. 

Costs

EPA estimated the capital cost for a UV system at a 1.5-

MGD plant is $200,000 which translates into $0.13/gpd. 

Operation and maintenance cost associated with this 

system is estimated at 1.5 cents/1,000 gallons of water 

treated.

Ecosphere Technologies (Ecosphere) has applied UV 

water treatment as part of an advanced oxidation water 

treatment process in the Fayetteville Shale. According to 

Ecosphere, associated costs to treat water with their 

advanced oxidation process ranges from $0.60 to $0.75 

per barrel (bbl); the technology is capable of processing 

up to 10 bpm.

References

Lindsey Gloe and Greg Neal, “UV Light Reduces the 

Amount of Biocide Required to Disinfect Water for 

Fracturing Fluids,” presented at the Society of Petroleum 

Engineers (SPE) Eastern Regional Meeting, Charleston, 

WV, September 23-25, 2009.

Kembe Kleinwolterink, Brandon Watson, Dave Allison, 

and Matt Sharrock, “UV Light Technology Controls 

Bacteria while Reducing Environmental Risks,” World Oil

(December 2009).

Venture Engineering & Construction. Marcellus Shale. 

Water Treatment Options Worth Considering. Technical 

Brief.

J. B. Clark, J. C. Luppens, and P. T. Tucker, “Using 

Ultraviolet Radiation for Controlling Sulfate-Reducing 

Bacteria in Injection Water,” SPE 13245, presented at the 

SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, 

Houston, TX, September 16-19, 1984.

Kembe Kleinwolterink, Brandon Watson, Dave Allison, 

and Matt Sharrock, “UV Light Technology Controls 

Bacteria while Reducing Environmental Risks,” World Oil

(December 2009).

Personal communication with Dennis McGuire 

(Ecosphere Energy Solutions, Inc.), July 10, 2009. 

Nace International, 2005. “Selection, Application, and 

Evaluation of Biocides in the Oil and Gas Industry”. 

NACE International Publication.

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, 

2010. Using Ultraviolet Light to Treat Water. 

Environmental Health Fast Facts.

David Wethe, “Halliburton Hunts New Bacteria Killer to 

Protect Shale-Gas Boom,” Bloomberg (March 29, 2010).

Colorado School of Mines. Produced Water Treatment 

and Beneficial Use Information Center. Treatment 

Options. Enhanced distillation/evaporation.