For several years IPIECA has maintained a ‘watching brief’ on water issues related to the oil and gas value chain. In 2008, a multi-disciplinary task force was established to understand the impact and opportunities of water issues related to the sector.

The issue

Water is essential in human development – from the freshwater needs of individuals and ecosystems to the demands of agriculture and industry. With population growth and continuing economic development, demand on limited fresh water supplies is likely to intensify.  Members of IPIECA and the industry as a whole recognize water as a key issue. How governments and industry respond to this issue may affect global development and the ability of societies to prosper.

The public is becoming more aware of the limitations on fresh water supply and increasing demand, with the concerns around water quality and quantity becoming more pronounced. The prominence of these issues is seen by the fact that both the Millennium Development Goals and the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development call for greater access to clean fresh water, improvements in sanitation, and integrated plans for the development of this universal resource. Additionally, the nexus between energy and water is also gaining significance as developed and developing countries look to increase energy supplies which require greater access to sources of fresh water.

IPIECA activities

IPIECA has maintained a watching brief on the issue of water since 2000 and continues to actively work on this issue through various work groups and, as necessary, by forming task forces populated by members from the relevant IPIECA Working Groups to address specific needs.

• In 2004 the publication Water resource management in the oil and gas industry was developed.  This publication provides industry case studies and best practices.
• In 2008 the Water Task Force was re-formed and an IPIECA Water Management Workshop was organized in 2009 to review the major water issues for the industry and determine if and what role IPIECA might serve.  An internal workshop report was produced.
• In 2010 the Water Task Force recieved endorsement from the IPIECA ExCom to continue work in the arena of freshwater, the following two areas were prioritised:

1. Global water tool for oil and gas industry
2. Guidelines for freshwater management across the oil and gas lifecycle

• In 2011 the 'IPIECA Overview of Freshwater Issues Affecting the Oil and Gas Industry' was launched.  This is an internal high level overview of both the upstream and downstream issues associated with freshwater management.
• The 2nd edition of the IPIECA/API Oil and gas industry guidance on voluntary sustainablity reporting  includes updated indicators on fresh water use. Please see the 'Reporting' section of the IPIECA website for more details.
• The IPIECA Global Water Tool for oil and gas was launched in August 2011 at World Water Week in Stockholm.
• In 2011 IPIECA became a collaborating organizational partner of WaterMatch

Member action

Through careful management of its activities the oil and gas industry can help protect both land-based water resources and the marine environment. The oil industry is using its practical and technological expertise to explore ways to decrease demands on scarce freshwater supplies and encourage procedures to conserve, recycle and reuse water. In some cases, the industry is exploring the use of reclaimed wastewater or low quality water in the industrial process – utilizing less fresh water. The industry is also reducing its impact by monitoring and reporting discharges and, through continually improving, the storage, handling and transportation of all products – further reducing the possibility of marine or groundwater contamination. Further guidance is currently being developed by IPIECA, please see the 'Operations and fuels section' of our website for more details. IPIECA has also produced water management good practice guidelines, these are illustrated by a number of company case studies.

• Water resource management in the oil and gas industry