The ultrapure water plant produces ultrapure water that is being used by the energy company NAM in the redevelopment of the Schoonebeek oil field. The Schoonebeek oil is thick and viscous. At the end of the last century this meant that the extraction of the oil was no longer commercially viable. But now there are new technologies that can be used to pump up the oil. Steam works miracles in this respect: it heats the viscous syrupy oil until it is fluid enough to be extracted. Ultrapure water is needed to produce the steam. The extremely clean water prevents damage to pumps and turbines. More information about the oil extraction process can be found on the NAM website.