The present disclosure relates to a system and method of providing water
management and utilization during the process of dewatering and retorting
of oil shale. More specifically, the process described relates to
co-producing potable and non-potable water, for various uses, during the
extraction of petroleum from shale oil deposits. Generally, the process
allows the production of multiple streams of waters or varying salinity
and pressures at least one of which is of high enough pressure for
reinsertion into geological formations or reservoirs, and another which
may supply a potable water source. In one embodiment, the high pressure
required for reinserting the non-potable water into geological formation
or reservoirs may be utilized for producing the potable water supply. In
another embodiment, the non-potable water supply may also be used for
entraining and sequestering undesired emissions, such as CO.sub.2.