A Bigger Filter for the Gulf’s Water Problem

LiqTech unveils QureFlow Max, scaling ceramic filtration for Gulf oilfields with strong regional backing and rising reuse demand

18 Mar 2026

The Gulf’s produced water problem has a new contender. LiqTech International introduced its QureFlow Max system on February 4, 2026, at a Texas industry conference, marking its largest ceramic membrane setup to date. The launch signals a shift from pilot-scale experimentation to systems built for sustained, high-volume use.

At its core are silicon carbide ceramic membranes designed for punishing oilfield conditions. Produced water in the GCC is notoriously saline, often hot, and prone to sudden changes in composition. QureFlow Max is built to handle that variability, processing between 12,000 and 18,000 barrels per day while removing more than 99% of oil and suspended solids. The units are modular and automated, making them easier to slot into existing operations and manage remotely.

The timing matters for the Middle East. LiqTech has been working with NESR to expand across 15 countries in the region, and that partnership is starting to show traction. A pilot unit delivered in 2024 laid the groundwork, and by early 2026 the company pointed to growing demand, lifting its water-for-energy revenue outlook to between $5 million and $8 million.

This comes as Gulf oilfields face a steady rise in water production as they mature. Higher water-to-oil ratios mean operators must handle larger volumes more efficiently. At the same time, environmental pressures are nudging companies away from deep-well disposal and toward reuse. Treated produced water can reduce reliance on scarce freshwater, especially when it meets the quality needed for reinjection or other field uses.

QureFlow Max fits into that shift. It can act as a pretreatment step before desalination or operate on its own in reuse systems. For LiqTech, scaling up its ceramic platform while working through an established regional partner places it in a strong position as Gulf operators move from testing solutions to deploying them at scale.