The Water Exchange

In this episode of The Water Exchange, Rick McCurdy, vice president of innovation and sustainability, and Aaron Horn, vice president of infrastructure for New Mexico, explain how treatment and logistics give produced water options: back into completions as recycled water, out to other uses such as cooling, and into mineral extraction, with disposal as the backstop.

They trace recycling from early projects in the Woodford Shale to fracs that now run on 100% recycled produced water, explain why bacteria is the daily challenge in recycling for completions, and discuss where salt becomes the real hurdle: beneficial reuse. Along the way, they cover disposal capacity in the Permian Basin, pilots in desalination and irrigation, the link between water, data centers, and minerals, and the frac chemistry that made recycling possible.

Learn more at selectwater.com.

Select Water Solutions has spent two decades moving water across some of the most active basins in the country. In Episode 9 of The Water Exchange, Mike Lyons and Garrett Williams discuss how the company has evolved into a water midstream infrastructure business, what that means for operators and investors, and where produced water goes from here. Topics include the economics of recycling in the Permian, Select's Remote Operations Center and its AI and computer vision capabilities, lithium and iodine mineral extraction, and active moves into municipal water and data center markets.

In this episode of The Water Exchange, I sit down with Sungyang Liu, Director of R&D at Select Chemistry, to explore the intricate relationship between wettability, microfluidics, and surfactants in enhancing oil recovery. We delve into the evolution of surfactant technology, discussing how altering wettability can significantly impact oil flow efficiency and overall production outcomes. Sungyang shares insights on the innovative use of microfluidic testing to simulate reservoir conditions, allowing for rapid formulation adjustments tailored to specific geological contexts. Join us as we uncover the science behind smarter surfactants and their pivotal role in optimizing water management solutions for energy producers.

The Permian Basin generates enormous volumes of produced water — and for years, injecting it back underground was the only answer. Today, roughly 65% of Permian frac demand is met with recycled produced water. How did the industry get here, and where does it go next?

In this episode of The Water Exchange, Select Water Solutions' Whitney Faircloth and Brandon Prill trace the full journey — from lay flat hose and disposal wells to a network of 20+ recycling facilities, 35+ million barrels of interconnected storage, and over one billion barrels of produced water recycled and reused for completions.

They discuss the logistics of water balancing across multiple operators, the technology stack behind Select's remote operations center, and what emerging opportunities in lithium extraction and beneficial reuse could mean for the industry's future.

A candid, experience-driven conversation at the intersection of infrastructure, operations, and sustainability in the oil field.

Learn more at selectwater.com

What does it take to ensure safety, competency, and continuous improvement across a global wells function?

In this episode of The Water Exchange, Cristina Williams is joined by Matt Bolen, Senior Manager of Wells Excellence at Chevron, for a wide-ranging conversation on the technology and talent shaping the future of completions.

Tune in as they discuss: 1) Extended lateral technology and the chemistry behind longer, more efficient drill-outs; 2) Produced water reuse; 3) AI as an efficiency multiplier, not a job eliminator; 4) Rising natural gas & data center demand; 5) Sustainability, safety, and Chevron's ever-cleaner energy mandate.

If you're working in completions, water management, or just want an honest operator's perspective on where the industry is headed, don't miss this episode.

What does it take to manage thousands of water assets in real time?

In this episode, we go inside The ROC—Select’s remote operations center. From automation and AI to real-time data and customer visibility, this facility is changing how water transfer gets done.

Danny Grant and Bryce Reed break down how Select:

- Monitors 7,000+ assets across the U.S.

- Prevents issues before they happen

- Delivers water on demand with precision

- Turns data into action for safer, more efficient operations

This is the future of water management—happening right now.

In this episode of The Water Exchange, Matt Smith and Nicole Carrejo, Principal R&D Scientist at Select Chemistry, explore the cutting-edge research and innovation driving smarter oilfield completions. They discuss how advanced chemical solutions, from scale inhibitors to friction reducers, enhance well performance, optimize operations, and support more sustainable water management practices. The conversation highlights the challenges of evolving water compositions, customer needs, and field conditions, demonstrating how science translates into practical solutions that improve efficiency and reliability across the oilfield.

The conversation around produced water is reaching a fever pitch — but not because the challenge is new. It’s because the conditions for real change are finally coming together. In this episode of The Water Exchange, Rick McCurdy and Nate Banda unpack the growing convergence of infrastructure, chemistry, costs, and regulation that’s making beneficial reuse a real possibility at scale.

From the logistical hurdles of hauling water across basins to the rise of pilot programs and AI-driven treatment, this episode dives into what’s pushing the industry forward — and what still stands in the way.

Whether you’re leading operations or exploring what’s next in water strategy, this is your insider’s guide to the future of produced water.

To learn more about Select's approach to produced water management, visit www.selectwater.com.

In this episode of Oilfield Water 360, Michael Skarke, COO, and Danny Grant, VP of Information Technology for Select Water Solutions, explore the next frontier of water management.

From the rapid expansion of water infrastructure networks to the game-changing role of AI, automation, and data analytics, they break down how technology is reshaping efficiency, sustainability, and cost savings in the oilfield.

Tune in as they discuss:

🔹 The rise of water infrastructure and its growing complexities

🔹 How automation and AI are optimizing water movement and recycling

🔹 The impact of real-time data on decision-making and efficiency

🔹 Key trends shaping the future of produced water reuse

Whether you’re a completions engineer, water manager, or just curious about the future of oilfield water, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

Listen now or catch the video online here: https://www.selectwater.com/video-oilfield-water-360-episode-2/

Oilfield Water 360 brings together industry experts to explore the latest trends, challenges, and innovations shaping water management in the oilfield. In this episode, Select's Christina Williams and Rob Blake dive into what 2025 holds for the industry—covering efficiency gains, produced water recycling, regulatory shifts, and the evolving role of chemistry in completions. Watch the full conversation and read the complete transcript below.

Learn more at www.selectwater.com