Methods for monitoring a water source using opticoanalytical devices

Abstract

In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing water from a water source; monitoring a characteristic of the water using a first opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with a flow pathway for transporting the water; and introducing the water into a subterranean formation.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing water from a water source;   monitoring a characteristic of the water using a first opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with a flow pathway for transporting the water; and   introducing the water into a subterranean formation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 before introducing the water into the subterranean formation, forming a treatment fluid comprising the water.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the water source comprises a produced water. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein monitoring a characteristic of the water comprises monitoring the water for an ionic material. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the ionic material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of an iron-containing ion, an iodine-containing ion, a boron-containing ion, a sulfur-containing ion, a barium ion, a strontium ion, a magnesium ions, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 treating the water so as to alter at least one characteristic thereof; and   after treating the water, monitoring a characteristic of the water using a second opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with the flow pathway for transporting the water;
 wherein the second opticoanalytical device is located after the first opticoanalytical device along the flow pathway. 
   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein treating the water comprises adding at least one additional component thereto. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein treating the water occurs automatically under computer control in response to the characteristic of the water monitored using the first opticoanalytical device. 
     
     
         9 . A method comprising:
 producing water from a first subterranean formation, thereby forming a produced water;   monitoring a characteristic of the produced water using a first opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with a flow pathway for transporting the produced water;   forming a treatment fluid comprising the produced water and at least one additional component; and   introducing the treatment fluid into the first subterranean formation or a second subterranean formation.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 combining the at least one additional component with the produced water so as to alter at least one property thereof; and   after combining the at least one additional component, monitoring a characteristic of the produced water using a second opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with the flow pathway for transporting the produced water;
 wherein the second opticoanalytical device is located after the first opticoanalytical device along the flow pathway. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein combining the at least one additional component occurs automatically under computer control in response to the characteristic of the produced water monitored using the first opticoanalytical device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the treatment fluid is introduced into the first subterranean formation or the second subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture therein. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein monitoring a characteristic of the produced water comprises monitoring the produced water for an ionic material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the ionic material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of an iron-containing, ion, an iodine-containing ion, a boron-containing ion, a sulfur-containing ion, a barium ion, a strontium ion, a magnesium ions, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 monitoring a characteristic of the treatment fluid using a second opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with a flow pathway for transporting the treatment fluid.   
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 providing water from a water source;   monitoring a characteristic of the water using a first opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with a flow pathway for transporting the water; and   treating the water so as to alter at least one property thereof in response to the characteristic of the water monitored using the first opticoanalytical device.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 after treating the water, monitoring a characteristic of the water using a second opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with the flow pathway for transporting the water;
 wherein the second opticoanalytical device is located after the first opticoanalytical device along the flow pathway. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein treating the water comprises adding at least one additional component thereto. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 disposing of the water after treating the water;
 wherein the water treatment is chosen so as to make the water suitable for disposal. 
   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 forming a treatment fluid comprising the water; and   introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein treating the water occurs automatically under computer control in response to the characteristic of the water monitored using the first opticoanalytical device. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the water source comprises a produced water.