PDO inaugurates RO 87m Rima water plant project

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) celebrated the inauguration of its Rima Water Treatment Plant project under the auspices of HH Sayyid Marwan bin Turki al Said, Governor of Dhofar, yesterday. The RO 87-million project located in Al Wusta Governorate has a capacity to treat 60,000 cubic metres of wastewater per day.

“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,” shared Managing Director Steve Phimister.

The plant utilises gravitational separation to separate oil and water, and has a capacity of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 53,000 tonnes per year. The separated water is then treated using a natural biological treatment process.

Previously, 60 per cent of the wastewater was utilised for waterflooding operations, while the rest was disposed in deep reservoirs, according to the company.

“It is a breakthrough technology that provides an eco-friendly alternative to traditional deepwater disposal (DWD) methods, and can be utilised in many other industries that produce wastewater as a by-product,” added Phimister.

HH Sayyid Marwan bin Turki al Said, Governor of Dhofar, shared, “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 the oil and gas industry.”

The Rima Water Treatment Plant follows the success of the company’s ‘Nimr Wetlands’, a treatment plant that utilises reed plants to treat contaminated water with a production capacity of 690,000 barrels per day.