The article compares the use of sorption and sorption-coagulation methods for cleaning fresh and mineralized oil-containing waters. The sorbents used are thermally expanded graphite obtained by heat treatment of graphite bisulfate in a boiling layer, and activated carbon of BAU-A grade, which is widely used for purification of liquid media from oils and oil products. As an alternative to the sorption method, research was conducted on the application of the sorption-coagulation method with the simultaneous use of aluminum-containing coagulants: aluminum sulfate and aluminum hydroxochloride and activated carbon. It is shown that the advantages of using the sorption method using thermally expanded graphite are based on the high efficiency of oil extraction from water bodies and multiple regeneration of the spent sorbent.