Natura, NGL partner on nuclear-powered produced water treatment for Permian basin
(WO) - Natura Resources and NGL Energy Partners have signed an agreement to evaluate the use of advanced nuclear power to support large-scale produced water treatment in the Permian basin, targeting one of the region’s most persistent operational challenges.
Under the agreement, Natura and NGL will explore pairing Natura’s 100-MW molten-salt reactor design with thermal desalination technology to provide continuous power for produced water treatment and recycling. NGL Water Solutions Permian currently manages more than 3 MMbpd of produced and flowback water across the basin.
The companies said the integrated approach could enable industrial-scale treatment of produced water, creating opportunities for reuse while reducing reliance on disposal via injection. The collaboration will also assess potential applications for power generation and future critical mineral extraction from produced water streams.
Natura CEO Doug Robison said the combination of molten-salt reactor technology and desalination could provide a competitive, long-term solution for energy and water constraints in major producing regions. NGL Water Solutions Permian President Doug White added that the partnership will evaluate how advanced nuclear systems could help transform produced water from a liability into a strategic asset supporting ongoing shale development.
Produced water management has become a growing constraint in the Permian basin, which generates more than 20 MMbpd of produced water. The companies emphasized that scalable treatment solutions could play a key role in sustaining long-term oil and gas activity in the region.
