For its pioneering advancements and contributions to the reuse of water in the energy industry, the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium was honored with the inaugural Pioneering Advancements Award at the Permian Basin Water in Energy Conference hosted by the University of Texas Permian Basin in Midland, Texas, March 6.

The Consortium is a collaborative effort between New Mexico State University and the New Mexico Environment Department.

“The Consortium was selected to receive the inaugural award by UTPB based on efforts led by New Mexico State University faculty and researchers in developing protocols for the technology testing, chemical analysis, and risk and toxicology evaluations for the fit-for-purpose treatment and reuse of produced water inside and outside the oil and gas industry in the Permian Basin,” said Mike Hightower, Consortium program director, who accepted the award for NMSU. “The award acknowledged the leadership of New Mexico State University in advancing fresh water and produced water stewardship in the Permian Basin that straddles New Mexico and Texas.”

NMSU is a leading institution for the study and research of treated produced water. Led by research faculty Pei Xu, Yanyan Zhang, Huiyao Wang and Runwei Li, NMSU conducts scientifically based research to support and foster regional water sustainability.

To learn more about the Consortium, visit https://nmpwrc.nmsu.edu.