How many barrels of water does it take to produce one barrel of oil?
Currently, it requires two to five barrels of fresh water for every barrel of oil produced in mining operations, and approximately 0.5 barrels of fresh water for in-situ operations. Up to 90 per cent of the water used can be recycled depending on the maturity of the facility and type of extraction. Industry is working on making production even more efficient so fresh water use is further reduced.
On average, two to four barrels of fresh water are required for every barrel of oil produced in mining operations, and approximately 0.5 barrels of fresh water for in-situ operations. Up to 90 per cent of the water used can be recycled depending on the maturity of the facility and type of extraction. Industry is working on making production even more efficient so fresh water use is further reduced. See the fact sheet, Oil Sands Water, for more information on water use and management in oil sands operations.
