PDO officially opens Ro87mn Rima Water Treatment Plant

Under the auspices of H H Sayyed Marwan bin Turki bin Mahmood al Said, Governor of Dhofar, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) on Wednesday celebrated the inauguration of its second nature-based project, Rima Water Treatment Plant.

The project, which is valued at Ro87mn, follows the success of PDO’S award-winning Nimr Wetlands project, which treats produced water using a series of sloping reed fields and evaporation ponds.

The event, held at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre in Muscat, was attended by several senior government officials, members of the company’s board and executive committee and representatives from both the public and private sectors.

Spanning an area of 25 sqkm, Rima Water Treatment Plant uses a gravitational oil and water separation and natural biological treatment process, an emerging breakthrough technology that is the first of its kind to be used in Oman. This innovative solution not only ensures the effective treatment of the water but also creates a desert oasis for local wildlife.

The project has the capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an impressive 53,000 tonnes per year, PDO said in a press statement.

H H Sayyed Marwan said, “It was a pleasure to attend today’s inauguration of the Rima Water Treatment Plant, a remarkable environmentally friendly project that applies natural technology to treat and manage water associated with oil production.

“This project showcases a commitment to using natural technology and green solutions to preserve the environment and make the most of our natural resources. It sets a strong example to be followed in the region and worldwide, especially in terms of sustainable water management and addressing the challenges faced in oil and gas industry.”

“We commend PDO for its innovative and environmentally responsible approach to its work and projects. The company’s dedication to preserving the environment is truly admirable and deserves recognition,” he added.

PDO managing director Steve Phimister said, “Rima Water Treatment Plant represents a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability and reducing our environmental impact. By using nature-based solutions to treat wastewater, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create new habitats for wildlife.

“Indeed, it is a breakthrough technology that provides an ecofriendly alternative to traditional deep-water disposal (DWD) methods, and can be utlised in many other industries that produce wastewater as a by-product.”

Prior to the launch of Rima Water Treatment Plant, 60 per cent of the associated water produced at Rima was used for water flooding to maximise recovery, with the remaining 40 per cent being pumped into a deep reservoir in an expensive and energy-intensive operation. This has now been replaced by a more environmentally friendly and sustainable solution, capable of processing up to 65,000 cubic metres of associated water a day and reducing high-energy consumption by 10 megawatts.

The construction and commissioning of the plant came four months ahead of schedule with around 1.38mn Lti-free manhours achieved. Additionally, all construction work was carried out by local companies, with a number of equipment being procured and prefabricated in Oman.

Spanning an area of 25 sqkm, Rima Water Treatment Plant uses a gravitational oil and water separation and natural biological treatment process