Investigating the Potential Impact on Shallow Groundwater Quality of Oily Wastewater Injection in Deep Petroleum Reservoirs: A Multidisciplinary Evaluation at the Val d’Agri Oilfield (Southern Italy)

Pietro Rizzo (), Antonio Bucci, Pamela Monaco, Anna Maria Sanangelantoni, Gino Naclerio, Mattia Rossi, Paola Iacumin, Federica Bianchi, Claudio Mucchino, Nicolò Riboni, Dario Avagliano, Francesco Coraggio, Antonella Caputi and Fulvio Celico
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Pietro Rizzo: Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 157/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
Antonio Bucci: Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, C.da Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy
Pamela Monaco: Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, C.da Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy
Anna Maria Sanangelantoni: Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 157/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
Gino Naclerio: Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, C.da Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy
Mattia Rossi: Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 157/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
Paola Iacumin: Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 157/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
Federica Bianchi: Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 157/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
Claudio Mucchino: Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 157/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
Nicolò Riboni: Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 157/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
Dario Avagliano: ENI S.p.A., 20097 Milan, Italy
Francesco Coraggio: ENI S.p.A., 20097 Milan, Italy
Antonella Caputi: Italconsult, 85059 Viggiano, Italy
Fulvio Celico: Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 157/A, 43124 Parma, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-15

Abstract: The increase in oil production from petroleum reservoirs has led to studies examining the effects of these activities on groundwater quality. Oily wastewater associated with oil production is often reinjected through abandoned wells into the unproductive portions of the reservoir to avoid its discharge on the surface. The reinjection process is designed to be environmentally friendly and to exclude direct interactions between injected fluids and the surrounding groundwater; nevertheless, the evaluation of the compatibility between this process and the protection of the surrounding environment is of utmost importance when oilfields are located within sensitive and protected areas. The present work aimed to evaluate the impact of the oily wastewater reinjection into a long-term and high-rate disposal well in the Val d’Agri oilfield (Southern Italy). Previous preliminary investigations carried out at the study site led researchers to hypothesize the possible hydrocarbon contamination of the shallower aquifer caused by reinjection well integrity issues. Our strategy is based on an integrated and multidisciplinary approach involving isotopic (stable isotopes 2 H and 18 O), chemical, and microbiological (characterization of bacterial and archaeal communities) analyses. After a comprehensive and meticulous examination of the research data, it has been ascertained that significant discrepancies exist between the shallow and reinjection water systems. This allowed us to clarify the area’s complex flow dynamics and exclude hydrocarbon contamination of spring waters caused by the reinjection process.

Keywords: oily wastewater reinjection; petroleum reservoir; groundwater quality; microbial community characterization; stable isotopes; Southern Italy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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