Debolt facility provides alternative to surface water sources

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The Debolt Water Treatment Plant arose out of a 50-50 joint venture between Encana and Apache to jointly develop a portion of the Horn River Basin in northeastern British Columbia. In keeping with both companies' dedication to responsible development, they examined alternatives to freshwater use to supply hydraulic fracturing operations in the area.

What followed was the identification of the Debolt formation, a deep, sub-surface, non-potable aquifer containing saline, sour (containing hydrogen sulfide) water. Tapping this water source required many innovations including the investigation of several sweetening methods needed to remove the hydrogen sulfide and make this water usable. Encana and Apache went on to design and build the Debolt Water Treatment Plant, and to develop the Debolt formation as a water source reservoir - the first project of its kind in Canada.

Operational since June 2010, the plant has significantly reduced surface water use and is expected to fulfil a minimum of 80 percent of the water needed by Encana and Apache for hydraulic fracturing operations in the Two Island Lake area of the Horn River Basin.

Visit the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers website for more information about Encana and Apache's Responsible Canadian Energy award for the Debolt Water Treatment Plant.