(GP/GT) for Additional Water Supply in the Lower Rio Grande

Assuming a geopressured well can produce 20,000 bpd of fluid @ 300°F and
for 10 years, desalination of geopressured brine integrated with the
production of methane gas is an economically viable investment in a water
starved region. Assuming a 15% discount, payback will occur in 4.3 years and
have a NPV is $4,355,000 in 10 years. If the bottled water facility is not
included, the discounted payback period is 8.2 a year with a NPV of $546,633
(Figure 11). This analysis shows the significant impact of using a bottled
water facility to greatly increase revenues.
Adding a binary power generator and selling electricity at 6 cents/kWh and
selling gas and bulk and bottled water will result in a discounted payback
period of 6.2 a year and a NPV of over $2,862,000.
AGRICULTURE/AQUACULTURE ECONOMICS
Based on the data assumed for a typical geopressured well, the potential~
is marginal for development of agriculture and aquaculture in most instances
although feasible in site specific areas primarily targeted for a high value
added product. Economic analysis is based on the following well conditions:
• Flow = 580 gpm (20,000 bpd)
• Temperature = 290°F
• Total chlorides = 72,000 mg/L (ppm)
• Location = Pleasant Bayou, TX
• The geopressured fluid is cooled to -250°F as it passes through
a binary power generator before it is made available for the
greenhouse facility.
There are many possible combinations in which a facility can be developed;
each approach will alter the project costs and profitability. Because this
industry is in a development stage and immature financially, it is most likely
that a facility would be installed in phases as markets develop. Phased
development would require a lower initial capital requirement. Accordingly,
the analysis developed costs for the first phase of a multi-phase greenhouse
and aquaculture facility. Phase 1 of this installation would include three
fiberglass covered greenhouses, each 42 x 348 ft. A fiberglass covered
cooling pad house 21 x 348 ft would be attached to one side wall. The cooling
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