The move by Permian Basin operators from using fresh water in their drilling and fracturing operations to recycling and reusing water has gained steam.

Executives with three water-focused service providers offered some thoughts and advice at this week’s Executive Oil Conference.

“What I’m excited about is that, especially in the Permian Basin, water recycling has become mainstream,” said Brent Halldorson, chief executive officer of Fountain Quail Water Management LLC.

There is no question disposal wells are under stress and fresh water is not plentiful, he said.

Disposal wells are being looked at as a cause of a swarm of earthquakes in North Texas and Oklahoma. But disposal wells are an important piece of the industry puzzle, Halldorson said.

But the Permian Basin is leading the way in recycling, he said.

“There’s been an evolution. Costs have dropped, reliability has increased, we’re able to use more compromised, more saline water,” Halldorson said.

Operators are finding water recycling is more cost-effective when disposal fees, transportation and storage costs are considered, said Rob McClain, director, project development with Select Energy Services.

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