Western Midstream Partners is advancing water recycling initiatives in the Permian Basin with the launch of its second produced-water treatment pilot facility in Reeves County, Texas.

The facility, known as Joint Industry Project 2 (JIP 2), was developed in partnership with major energy producers including Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Devon Energy, and ExxonMobil.

Located near Red Bluff Reservoir, the facility is designed to process approximately 2,000 barrels of produced water per day and generate around 1,000 barrels of reusable freshwater.

Significant Increase in Treatment Capacity

The new facility marks a substantial advancement from the consortium’s first pilot project, which launched in 2023.

According to Western Midstream, JIP 2 can produce roughly ten times more freshwater than the original pilot operation. The expansion reflects growing industry interest in finding sustainable solutions for managing the large volumes of wastewater generated during oil and gas production.

Produced water, a byproduct of drilling and extraction activities, has traditionally been disposed of through underground injection wells. However, increasing water scarcity throughout West Texas has prompted operators to investigate recycling technologies that can convert wastewater into a usable resource.

Promising Results From Initial Pilot

The first Joint Industry Project generated more than 50,000 water-quality measurements over a two-year period.

Western Midstream reported that the project successfully demonstrated the ability to produce water suitable for several applications, including industrial cooling systems, agricultural irrigation, and potentially surface water discharge.

The company believes the data collected has provided a strong foundation for advancing treatment technologies toward commercial-scale deployment.

Supporting Future Desalination Projects

Information gathered from JIP 2 will help optimize treatment processes and support the design of future large-scale desalination facilities.

The participating companies plan to continue collaborating with regulators, local communities, and independent experts to verify treatment effectiveness and ensure water quality standards are met.

The goal is to establish a reliable framework for transforming produced water into a viable alternative water source across the region.

Addressing Water Challenges in West Texas

Water availability has become one of the most significant operational challenges facing the Permian Basin.

Western Midstream currently manages approximately 3 million barrels of produced water per day through its network of sourcing, recycling, transportation, and disposal infrastructure.

Chief Executive Officer Oscar Brown said the initiative aims to convert produced water from a disposal challenge into a valuable resource while helping alleviate pressure on regional freshwater supplies.

Industry-Wide Trend Toward Water Reuse

The project reflects a broader shift occurring throughout the U.S. shale industry.

As freshwater resources become increasingly constrained across parts of the Southwest, energy companies are investing more heavily in recycling technologies that can reduce environmental impacts while improving operational efficiency.

Successful commercialization of produced-water treatment could provide significant benefits, including reduced reliance on freshwater withdrawals, lower wastewater disposal volumes, and increased long-term sustainability for oil and gas operations.

Outlook

Western Midstream’s latest pilot project represents an important step toward transforming produced water into a commercially viable resource. If large-scale treatment technologies prove effective, the Permian Basin could establish a new model for water management that benefits both energy producers and water-stressed communities throughout the region.