Devon recognizes that fresh water is a valuable resource. That is why we are committed to conserving water throughout North America.
In North Texas, for instance, Devon was the first natural gas producer in the Barnett Shale to embrace large-scale water recycling. This project has recycled more than 500 million gallons of water since 2005. In Canada, we have undertaken a variety of measures since 2003, when we pledged to find alternatives to freshwater use whenever possible. Perhaps most significantly, this commitment guided our decision to bypass a freshwater aquifer and to instead extract only saline water for our heavy thermal oil facility in the Alberta oil sands. Additionally, we recycle that water, so not only are we avoiding the use of fresh water, we are recycling water that is unfit for human consumption. You can read more about these and other several other water-conservation practices in this section of our website.
Thanks in part to the success of our water management practices in Canada, we developed in 2010 a set of water-use principles to cover our operations companywide. These principles express Devon’s commitment to comply with or exceed pertinent water regulations, to protect surface and groundwater from contamination and to constantly look for opportunities to improve our water-use efficiency.
We conserve and protect freshwater supplies because of one of Devon’s overarching corporate values: Always do the right thing. This commitment is just that — the right thing.
Reusing water proves successful in Oklahoma
Devon worked with Oklahoma regulators for three years to create the framework needed to permit large-scale water reuse in the Cana shale play. The result: a 500,000-barrel reuse pond and a network of water pipelines running to and from 36 drilling sites.
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Devon hopes to demystify fracking
A website created by state regulators provides data and context about the makeup of hydraulic fracturing fluids used to complete thousands of U.S. oil and natural gas wells. Devon is a firm supporter of this effort.
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Hydraulic fracturing: A 60-year track record of safety
Conducted safely by the oil and gas industry for more than 60 years, this process is a chief reason that the United States now has a 100-year supply of natural gas.
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Devon establishes principles for water sustainability
As part of its ongoing effort to be a good environmental steward, Devon has established a set of corporate water sustainability principles. Through these principles, we commit to conserve water and reuse it when it is feasible.
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Recycling efforts in North Texas reduce water needs
Groundbreaking recycling technology has helped Devon recover more than 500 million gallons of water in the Barnett Shale. This achievement has earned accolades from Texas regulatory officials and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.
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