In March 2017, Water. Desalination + reuse (Faversham House), citing the Times of Oman, reported that six applicants had been shortlisted for a desalination plant in Khasab, Oman. The state procurer OPWP had received 13 qualification submissions in February. The shortlist named GS Inima, Veolia Middle East, Tedagua, Utico, AquaVenture/Seven Seas and a team of Sogex Oman with ACWA Emirates. The planned 16,000 m³/day plant was to be delivered by a private developer.
The report showed that even a comparatively small plant drew a broad international field of bidders. Oman relied on private capital rather than state construction for this scheme.