Oman’s oil and gas sector plays a central role in the nation’s economy, but it also generates one of the largest industrial wastewater streams: produced water. For every barrel of oil extracted, several barrels of water often emerge from underground formations. Traditionally considered a waste product, this water contains hydrocarbons, salts, suspended solids, and trace contaminants. Today, however, produced water treatment is redefining how this by-product is managed—transforming it from an environmental liability into a valuable resource.
With increasing water scarcity, stricter environmental regulations, and rising operational costs, Oman’s energy sector is rapidly adopting advanced treatment technologies to enable reuse, reduce discharge, and improve sustainability.
Understanding Produced Water in Oil and Gas Operations
Produced water is the water brought to the surface during hydrocarbon extraction. It is the largest volume waste stream in the oil and gas industry, often containing:
- Free and emulsified oil
- Dissolved salts and minerals
- Suspended solids
- Trace heavy metals and chemicals
Without proper treatment of produced water, this effluent can contaminate soil, groundwater, and surface water. At the same time, Oman’s arid climate makes every recoverable drop of water extremely valuable.
Why Produced Water Treatment Is Essential in Oman?
Several factors make oil and gas produced water treatment a strategic priority for operators in Oman:
- Water Scarcity – Freshwater resources are limited, making reuse of treated water highly attractive.
- Environmental Compliance – National regulations require strict control over discharge and reinjection practices.
- Operational Efficiency – Untreated water causes scaling, corrosion, and fouling in equipment.
- Sustainability Goals – The country’s long-term vision emphasizes responsible resource management and reduced environmental impact.
Through advanced produced water treatment systems, operators can recover usable water for industrial processes, reinjection, or safe disposal.
How Does Produced Water Treatment Work?
Modern treatment of produced water typically involves a multi-stage process tailored to the specific composition of the water and the intended reuse:
1. Primary Separation
Gravity separators, hydrocyclones, or API separators remove free oil and large suspended particles.
2. Secondary Treatment
Technologies such as dissolved air flotation (DAF) or induced gas flotation eliminate emulsified oils and fine solids.
3. Tertiary Polishing
Filtration, adsorption, and membrane processes further reduce hydrocarbons, salinity, and dissolved contaminants.
4. Advanced Treatment and Reuse
Depending on the application, advanced membrane systems or chemical treatment enable the water to be reused for:
- Enhanced oil recovery (EOR)
- Utility and cooling applications
- Process water in refineries and industrial facilities
- Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) operations
This integrated produced water treatment system ensures compliance while maximizing resource recovery.
Produced Water Treatment in the Oil and Gas Industry: A Shift in Perspective
Across the produced water treatment in the oil and gas industry, there is a growing shift from disposal-focused strategies to recovery-driven approaches. In Oman, this means:
- Reduced Freshwater Withdrawal by substituting treated produced water in industrial operations
- Lower Environmental Footprint through minimized discharge and improved effluent quality
- Cost Savings by reducing water procurement, transportation, and disposal expenses
- Operational Reliability with cleaner water that protects equipment and process integrity
What was once a waste stream is now becoming a strategic asset.
Ion Exchange’s Expertise in Produced Water Treatment
Ion Exchange has decades of experience delivering advanced water and wastewater treatment solutions for the energy sector across the Middle East. Our specialized produced water treatment systems are designed to handle the complex and variable nature of oilfield wastewater while ensuring high recovery and long-term reliability.
Onshore Produced Water Treatment
Amal Steam, PDO Oman
The PDO-Amal steam development project in South Oman is one of the largest brownfield enhanced oil recovery development projects. Ion Exchange & Company LLC was selected as the EPC contractor against stiff 3 international competition for a 9900 m /d steam injection package that required exclusive Ion Exchange technology for treating produced water. The produced water had oil, high total dissolved solids, and hardness. The treated water after a unique oil removal system passes through two stages of specialty ion exchange resin columns, complete with an automatic skid-mounted brine dosing system to reduce hardness. This treated water is used to produce steam for reinjection into heavy oil fields to boost the extraction rate of oil without scaling oil crevices. The project was successfully commissioned and continues to be operated and maintained by us, along with several water treatment plants installed in the facility.
Cairn India Limited, Barmer
Brine Dosing Skids M/s Cairn India Ltd. awarded EPC contract to Ion Exchange (India) Ltd. for constructing a produced water treatment plant for reinjecting sulphate-free water for its large Mangala and Bhagyam wells.
Ion Exchange’s lump-sum turnkey contract includes an elaborate pre-treatment system followed by a novel dual-membrane ltration system comprising advanced nano- ltration and reverse osmosis process to 3 treat 2315 m /h of produced water. Supplied completely with CIP, the system is particularly designed for reducing sulphur concentration from 500 ppm to < 10 ppm, whilst minimizing reject in the membrane treatment process to <10%. The reject handling system consists of a high-pressure pipeline and pumps, including booster pumps for reject disposal into disposal wells, which are located at a designated reject disposal well pad. The pipeline system is complete with associated pigging facilities at both dispatch & receiving ends.
Why Turning Waste into a Resource Matters for Oman?
In an arid region, the ability to recover and reuse water is not just beneficial—it is essential. Advanced oil and gas produced water treatment enables Oman to:
- Strengthen water security for industrial growth
- Protect fragile desert and marine ecosystems
- Align energy operations with national sustainability objectives
- Enhance corporate environmental responsibility
Conclusion
Produced water treatment is transforming how Oman’s oil and gas sector manages one of its most significant waste streams. By adopting advanced produced water treatment systems, operators can convert wastewater into a valuable resource—supporting reuse, reducing environmental impact, and improving operational efficiency.
With Ion Exchange’s proven expertise in the treatment of produced water and produced water treatment in the oil and gas industry, energy companies in Oman can confidently move toward a future where waste is minimized and resources are maximized.