Gulf Oilfields Turn Wastewater Into Asset

LiqTech and NESR test reinjection filtration as rising water volumes push Gulf operators to upgrade treatment systems

2 Mar 2026

Oil producers in the Gulf are reassessing how they manage produced water, as rising volumes and tighter environmental scrutiny turn a long-standing byproduct into a strategic concern.

LiqTech, a Denmark-based filtration specialist, and National Energy Services Reunited (NESR) delivered a commercial pilot unit in June 2024 to demonstrate produced water treatment at customer sites across Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The project focuses on filtration for reinjection, a process used to maintain reservoir pressure and sustain oil output.

As oilfields mature, the share of water in total production increases. In several Middle East assets, water now accounts for more than half of fluids extracted. That shift has raised demand for treatment systems capable of meeting reinjection standards under high salinity and variable field conditions.

LiqTech’s system uses ceramic membrane technology to remove oil and suspended solids before water is pumped back underground. An earlier test unit deployed in May 2022 produced more than 99 per cent clean permeate under field conditions, according to company data. The current pilot aims to demonstrate similar results across a wider range of water qualities typical in the region.

For NESR, which provides oilfield services across the Middle East and North Africa, the partnership broadens its water management offering. Operators are increasingly seeking integrated service models that combine filtration, monitoring and maintenance. Reinjection quality, system reliability and lifecycle costs are becoming central to procurement decisions.

Industry specialists say higher water volumes and stricter oversight are encouraging innovation in treatment technologies. Regulators in several Gulf states have placed greater emphasis on disposal and injection standards, prompting operators to review legacy systems.

Upgrading infrastructure, however, requires significant capital investment, and established treatment technologies remain widely used. Companies must weigh upfront costs against potential gains in efficiency, reduced maintenance and extended field life.

If pilot projects lead to broader deployment, membrane filtration could take a larger role in regional water strategies. The outcome will depend on whether operators judge the technology capable of meeting performance targets at scale while controlling long-term costs.