Winner: Permian Basin ZLD, USA. This project is the first commercial carrier gas extraction (CGE) unit to treat produced water from the oil and gas industry in the Permian Basin. The 4,000 bbl/d plant treats hypersaline produced water from gas wells, with zero liquid discharge. The plant was designed and is operated under a long-term contract by Gradiant Corporation, an MIT spin-out and the 2013 Technology Idol, which commercialized the CGE technology. The plant is operated in collaboration with unconventional oil and gas giant, Pioneer Natural Resources.