AquaTrade

Transform Produced Water into a Tradable Commodity for Supply, Demand, and Transport

Developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and commercialized by PDS, AquaTrade is a pioneering solution for produced water management. Adapted from advanced power-market trading algorithms, it optimizes the matching of produced water supply, demand, and transportation. AquaTrade operates on the foundation of PDS’s Frac Interference Exchange, linking more than 400 operators and 1,000 users to enable cost-effective water sourcing for hydraulic fracturing and a range of beneficial reuse applications.

Straightforward Benefits

Reduce Water Disposal Costs

Cut expensive disposal volumes and unlock cost-effective recycled water for completions.

Move & Monetize PW

Monetize pipelines, treatment, and storage capacity while balancing water flows regionally.

Take Sustainability & ESG Further

Turn a waste liability into a resource that supports beneficial reuse and reduces reliance on freshwater.

Secure Cloud Data Network

Securely gather, normalize, and distribute data with nightly sync to data stores.

Single Point of Contact

One solution for seamless data sharing, interaction tracking, and administration.

Industry Leading Support

We offer live personalized onboarding, training, 24/7 support and monitoring.

AquaTrade is for Everyone

Upstream Operators

Producers and completions teams use AquaTrade to reduce disposal costs, secure recycled water for fracturing, and access flexible market options. Whether paying others to take excess water or sourcing treated water in scarce regions, upstream operators gain new levers to control cost and sustainability

Midstream Companies

Midstream companies leverage AquaTrade to monetize surplus pipeline, trucking, and treatment capacity. By connecting multiple operators through transparent market-clearing, they create regional water balance, enable inter-operator trades, and expand the value of existing infrastructure

Unlocking Stranded Value

At PDS Energy, our vision is to transform produced water from a costly waste product that must be disposed of into a valuable commodity. By enabling transparent trades, efficient transport, and beneficial reuse pathways, we’re solving one of the oilfield’s biggest challenges. Together with operators, midstream providers, and service partners, we are unlocking stranded value and ensuring produced water becomes part of a sustainable energy future.

As part of our commitment to the industry, PDS is opening a new Midland office to support AquaTrade users across the Permian Basin.

Harnessing the Network Effect

AquaTrade was developed under Project PARETO (Produced Water Application for Beneficial Reuse, Environmental Impact and Treatment Optimization), a collaborative effort led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory in partnership with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Ground Water Protection Council. DOE turned to PDS to commercialize AquaTrade and accelerate its mission of beneficial reuse. AquaTrade builds on a strong foundation of more than 1,000 PDS users already collaborating with the Frac Interference Exchange in the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Bakken, and midcontinent.