Produced Water Solutions
WES operates fully integrated produced-water infrastructure throughout the Delaware Basin in both Texas and New Mexico, and across the value chain of produced-water gathering, disposal, recycling, beneficial reuse (including desalination and mineral extraction), industrial water, and long-haul transport via the Pathfinder Pipeline.
Gathering, Transportation, and Disposal
In 2025, WES sanctioned the Pathfinder pipeline to transport up to 800 MBbls/d of produced water to saltwater disposal facilities in eastern Loving County in the Delaware Basin. WES operates more than 130 saltwater disposal wells with more than 3.8 MMBbls/d of disposal capacity.
Recycling
Produced water requires advanced treatment before reuse and WES employs industry-leading recycling technologies to convert produced water into a reusable resource, including:
Pre-Treatment
Removing hydrocarbons, solids, and other impurities.
Desalination
Reducing salinity to make the water suitable for various applications.
Post-Treatment
Refining water quality to meet industry-specific standards and support downstream recovery opportunities.
Water recycling is vital to a range of industries:
Agriculture & Irrigation | Oil & Gas | Power Generation | Mining & Mineral Processing | Industrial Manufacturing | Data Center & Technology | Hydrogen Production & Clean Energy | Infrastructure & Construction | Municipal Water Treatment & Utilities | Textile & Chemical Processing
Beneficial Reuse
Through innovative treatment processes, industry partnerships, and regulatory collaboration, WES is advancing sustainable reuse solutions that conserve freshwater, support energy production, and enable new industrial applications — including the early-stage recovery of critical minerals.
Joint Industry Project: In 2022, Aris Water Solutions, acquired by WES in October 2025, entered into a beneficial reuse strategic agreement with Chevron and ConocoPhillips, and later ExxonMobil and Coterra Energy, with the goal to develop cost effective and scalable methods of treating produced water to create a potential water source for industrial, commercial and non-consumptive agricultural purposes.