Austrian solar technology startup Heliovis has announced the imminent operation of a groundbreaking Solar Water Treatment Plant at a remote oilfield location in the Dhofar Governorate of Oman. The plant, expected to commence operations by mid-August, represents a significant advancement in sustainable water treatment and renewable energy applications within the oil and gas industry.

Located at the ‘Small Oilfield Cluster’ of Omani upstream energy firm ARA Petroleum in Qarat Al Milh, Dhofar, the facility showcases the viability of zero-emission water desalination technology that utilizes produced water, a waste resource generated during oilfield operations. Heliovis' innovative approach, in collaboration with ARA Petroleum LLC and US-based Trevi Systems Inc., integrates solar thermal energy with Forward Osmosis (FO) technology to treat highly saline, oil-contaminated water.

The Solar Water Treatment Plant (SWTP) is designed to produce approximately 140 cubic meters of freshwater per day. It leverages Trevi Systems’ FO technology, which uses osmotic pressure to draw freshwater through a membrane, with heat serving as the primary driver. This process is notably more energy-efficient than conventional desalination methods, making it particularly suitable for treating hyper-saline produced water, which is abundant in Oman’s oilfields.

Heliovis’ HelioTube technology provides the necessary heat for the water treatment process. This innovative solar thermal energy solution, composed of inflatable tubes and mirror films, concentrates sunlight to generate renewable heat energy. At the ARA Petroleum site, the solar field operates at approximately 180°C, ensuring a cost-effective and emission-free solution for industrial process heat, tailored to meet the client’s requirements around the clock.

Vienna-based Heliovis AG expressed its pride in the successful completion and commissioning of the SWTP, noting that this project exemplifies the potential for solar thermal energy to be utilized in various industrial applications across the Gulf region. The firm emphasized the project's role as a "beacon for future initiatives" and highlighted the partnership with ARA Petroleum E&P and Trevi Systems Inc. as a driving force behind this pioneering venture.

The low carbon footprint and reduced operational costs associated with this solar water treatment system further underscore its significance as a model for future sustainable energy projects in the region.