Envorem deploys oily sludge treatment system in Saudi Arabia

Envorem, the UK-based developer of oily sludge remediation technology, has installed its treatment system in Saudi Arabia

The global oil industry discards around 1% of all crude oil as waste, generating approximately 120 million tonnes of oily sludge every year, with legacy deposits exceeding 1.8 billion tonnes worldwide.

Envorem’s technology is designed to rapidly and efficiently treat oily sludge and hydrocarbon-contaminated waste streams. The process separates viscous sludge into oil, water and solids, enabling valuable materials to be recovered while significantly reducing the volume of hazardous waste that requires disposal.

In January and February 2026, the Envorem team assembled a UK-built treatment system on a site near Jubail, Saudi Arabia, where it is ready for use. The system provides a mobile platform to treat oily sludge and hydrocarbon-contaminated waste streams directly at source, creating opportunities for future remediation projects across the Middle East.

Successful pilots

The latest deployment follows a successful pilot project with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO0 where oil and water was recovered from sludge while significantly reducing waste volumes and emissions.

The Envorem System was also tested at Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah Gas Oil Processing Station to process 1,300 cubic metres of sludge, recovering 2,080 barrels of oil and 920 cubic metres of treated water for reuse. Previously, this material had to be transported more than 800 km for disposal, at significant cost and environmental impact. By using Envorem, the station reduced residual waste by 97%, while avoiding 332 tonnes of CO₂ emissions associated with transporting the waste for disposal.

“Having our first full-scale industrial deployment in Saudi Arabia is a major step forward for Envorem,” said Mark Batt-Rawden, managing director of Envorem. “The Envorem System is now fully commissioned and ready for oily sludge remediation projects in Saudi. This is a real credit to the team and our investors who’ve supported us to get here.

“Alongside that progress, our patent, is now secured in Canada, following earlier grants in Europe and the United States. This strengthens our global IP position, and gives us greater confidence as we scale internationally to provide the oil industry with a faster, cleaner and more economical way to deal with the enormous global legacy of oily sludge.”

Envorem has showcased its technology internationally at major industry events, including  provided operators, engineers and environmental specialists with the opportunity to see the technology in action and understand how the Envorem System can treat sludge at source.