Unique constructed wetland introduced by Bauer Resources at COP28

Dubai, UAE – For two weeks, the eyes of the world were on Dubai: December 12th was the final day of "COP28", the 28th UN climate conference. The focus: Nothing less than the future of our planet, in a year that is likely to be the hottest year ever. Approximately 70,000 people, including politicians, journalists, consultants and climate activists took part in the conference. One of them was Shahad Al-Zakwani. As a representative of BAUER Nimr LLC, the Omani subsidiary of BAUER Resources GmbH, she presented a unique project to reduce CO₂ emissions using nature-based solutions.

Harnessing the power of nature 

For the past 12 years, BAUER Nimr LLC has been operating the world's largest commercial reed bed treatment plant system in Oman. With an area of 13.5 km², it is roughly the size of 1,600 football fields. From 2009 onwards, it has transformed a former desert landscape into a thriving oasis full of life. At that time, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) commissioned Bauer to develop, build and operate a nature-based and sustainable water treatment system. 

Natural flow processes instead of energy-intensive pumps

What makes the green water treatment system unique is not only its enormous size and remarkable cleaning capacity, but also the new standards it sets for sustainability. By treating and reusing the produced water in a gravity-flown wetland, it is possible to avoid reinjection of the produced water eliminating the requirement for energy-intensive pumping. The groundbreaking result is the avoidance of more than 225,000 tons of CO₂ annually. The emission reduction project is now registered with the Global Carbon Council. Since 2021 it has been generating verified carbon credits that meets the requirements of CORSIA, the aviation industry’s carbon offsetting and reduction scheme. In addition, the project has been Diamond Labelled for its positive ecological and social impact. It will continue to generate carbon credits that can be transacted in the voluntary market until 2030. 

Positive effects on biodiversity 

Apart from the advantages for the environment, the project also makes a substantial contribution to biodiversity in the region, as different wetland plants are used for the treatment and reuse of the water. Numerous birds and wild animals have resettled in the project area. And in other respects too, the project is a remarkable success: By creating short- and long-term jobs, it will contribute to the economic development of the region for another 20 years. 

A Call for Nature-Based Solutions across the Middle East

"Our participation in COP28 highlights our commitment to sustainable solutions," emphasized Dennis K. Alexandersen, Business Development Director at BAUER Resources Middle East. "The water treatment project in Nimr is an example of our commitment, power of innovation and sense of responsibility towards the environment. We are convinced that nature-based solutions are central to addressing the pressing environmental challenges in the Middle East, both in the oil and gas industry and in the treatment of industrial and domestic wastewater."