Biological intensification of produced water treatment using membrane aerated bioreactors to enable wastewater recycle and reduction of produced water

The research program benchmarks membrane aerated bioreactor (MABR) technology against conventional activated sludge bioreactors for treating produced water (PW) from Qatar's gas fields, aligning with Qatar's Water Strategy and National Development Strategy 2030. The goal is to enhance energy security, water sustainability, and environmental protection. In collaboration with ConocoPhillips and Qatar Energy, the project will assess MABR technology as an advanced biological treatment method for expanding the capacity of Qatar Energy’s North gas field. MABR improves upon traditional systems by boosting oxygen transfer and reducing energy costs by 60-80%, supporting processes like nitrification, denitrification, and carbon removal to lessen environmental and greenhouse gas impacts. It can be integrated into existing facilities, enhancing treatment capacity and flexibility—key for sustainable gas extraction. However, challenges like unclear factors in Reactor Startup affecting bacterial adhesion and the need for optimization in Pre-treatment and Process Operation to maintain microbial activity must be addressed. Successfully overcoming these challenges will enable sustainable produced water treatment, support Qatar’s water reuse goals by minimizing PW injection well use, and allow production of high-quality reusable effluent.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)