Latest news with #Qalhat
Zawya
7 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman takes leading role in regional gas sector growth: GECF
MUSCAT: Oman is emerging as a regional leader in natural gas development, with expansion activities underway across the entire value chain—upstream, midstream, and export—according to the latest Global Gas Outlook report by the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). Headquartered in Doha, the GECF is committed to making 'natural gas the pivotal resource for inclusive and sustainable development' and aiming 'to shape the energy future as a global advocate of natural gas and a platform for cooperation and dialogue.' The 2025 edition of the report highlights Oman's growing prominence as a gas producer and exporter in the Middle East, particularly as it expands its liquefaction capacity. While liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports are set to remain the mainstay of gas trade, the country's role in the sector is becoming increasingly strategic. 'In 2023, Oman exported 12 million tonnes (Mt) of LNG, with over 90 per cent of shipments directed to the Asia Pacific region. These exports are projected to remain steady at 10 Mt by 2030, gradually declining to 8 Mt by 2040, and further decreasing to 6 Mt by 2050,' the report noted. Oman's liquefaction complex at Qalhat recently completed a multi-year upgrade that boosted nameplate capacity from 10.4 Mtpa to 11.5 Mtpa. Actual production climbed to a record 11.98 Mtpa in 2024, pushing LNG revenues to historic highs. Further expansion is planned with the addition of a 1 Mtpa LNG bunkering facility at Sohar. 'In early 2024, the country, in partnership with TotalEnergies, reached a Final Investment Decision (FID) to develop the Marsa LNG project. Set to commence operations in 2028, it will become the Middle East's first LNG bunkering hub—positioning LNG as a cleaner marine fuel and supporting decarbonisation in the shipping sector,' the report explained. Notably, the report omits reference to a planned fourth LNG train at Qalhat, announced by the Omani government in July 2023. The proposed 3.8 Mtpa train would raise the complex's total capacity to approximately 15.2 Mtpa. However, a final investment decision is pending the availability of uncommitted gas feedstock and long-term offtake agreements. On the upstream side, Oman's natural gas production has also seen robust growth. Output rose to 39 billion cubic metres (bcm) in 2023, up from 33 bcm in 2020. This growth was driven largely by the Khazzan-Makarem field, which accounted for 33 per cent of total production in 2023, as well as upstream development linked to the Marsa LNG project, the report stated. All of Oman's gas production currently comes from onshore fields, positioning the country as a key contributor to regional onshore output growth. Exploration activity is also accelerating. In 2023, Oman awarded three new onshore blocks in the southern Rub al Khali Basin, near Block 6, covering more than 20,000 square kilometres. The government has since launched a direct award initiative offering six additional blocks—43A, 43B, 66, 73, 75, and 76—for exploration. The report noted that further investments will target smaller greenfield projects and optimise production from brownfield sites, aiming to enhance recovery rates and operational efficiency. Oman's strategy focuses on balancing domestic demand with export ambitions—particularly to Asia—while integrating decarbonisation technologies such as carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) to meet global sustainability goals. An investor-friendly regulatory environment further supports this vision, the report added. Looking ahead, the report concludes: 'Oman is expected to sustain its gas production through the forecast period, reaching 43 bcm by 2050. Achieving this target will require successful exploration, with Yet-to-Find (YTF) resources projected to contribute 60 per cent of total production by mid-century.' 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
08-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Qalhat to get a visitor center worth $7.7mln
Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) has signed an agreement with the Development Foundation of the Oman LNG Company to finance the establishment of a visitors' center for the archaeological city of Qalhat, valued at RO3 UNESCO synopsis Ancient City of Qalhat, which is located on the east coast of the Sultanate of Oman, includes the ancient city of Qalhat, surrounded by inner and outer walls, as well as areas beyond the ramparts where necropolises are located. The city developed as a major port on the east coast of Arabia between the 11th and 15th centuries CE, during the reign of the Hormuz princes. The Ancient City bears unique archaeological testimony to the trade links between the east coast of Arabia, East Africa, India, China, and South-East Asia. It is located on the eastern coast of the Sultanate of Oman, approximately 20 kilometres north of the city of Sur. The city was an important port on the Sea of Oman along the East Arabian Coast, which allowed for trade with the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean and hence functioned as a trade centre between India and, through it, East and South East Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. Qalhat flourished in the 11th to 16th century CE under the ruling of the Princes of Hormuz, who coordinated vital exports of horses, dates, incense, and pearls. Following Portuguese attacks, the Ancient city of Qalhat was abandoned in the 16th century and has since been preserved as an archaeological site. The remains and monuments on site comprehensively represent a port city of the Kingdom of Hormuz and reflect its legacy, architecture, and urban design. Qalhat exhibits the cultural and commercial interchange of values within the trading range of the Kingdom of Hormuz, which extended to India and as far as China and South East Asia. The archaeological site of Qalhat provides physical evidence of these interchanges, documenting the architectural features which indicate its produce, dates, Arabian horses as well as spices and pearls but also integrating the multi-cultural features of a medieval cosmopolitan city, with houses influenced by the needs of their various owners and inhabitants of foreign cultural origin. The ancient city also includes several highly representative buildings, which were referenced in narratives authored by historic travellers. The Ancient city of Qalhat, since its abandonment in the 16th century, is an archaeological site. Its architectural and urban fabric and form remain authentic, almost untouched, as does its setting. The abandonment of the Ancient City of Qalhat plays a positive role in the conservation of its authenticity. The site has not been occupied since the 16th century and, therefore, it preserves all characteristics of organization, function, and architectural techniques corresponding to the Islamic Period in general and the period of the Hormuz Kingdom in particular. Conservation, visitor management, and site presentation plans aim at preserving this state to the largest extent possible. Likewise, archaeological excavations have been well-planned, thorough, and minimal, an approach that should be commended and continued. Conservation works undertaken post-excavation will likewise be guided by minimum intervention approaches. The location of the Ancient City of Qalhat between the mountains, deep valleys, and the sea is essential to its largely retained authenticity in setting. Authenticity in meaning is related both to the authenticated history of the site and to stories and myths associated with it, which will be respected within the overall management approach. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Times of Oman
07-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Agreement inked to fund establishment of visitor centre at Qalhat ancient city
Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the Development Foundation of Oman Liquefied Natural Gas Company Oman LNG today signed a financing agreement worth RO 3 million for the establishment of a visitor center at the ancient city of Qalhat. This initiative falls within the ministry's efforts to develop UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The project, spanning an area of 5,000 square meters, will include two museum halls to display archaeological artifacts discovered at the site. The center's facilities will feature administrative offices, a gift shop, a café, an outdoor events plaza, internal pathways connecting the visitor center to the ancient city, shaded seating areas, and vehicle parking. The agreement was signed on behalf of the ministry by Salem Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, while Dr. Amer Nasser Al Mata'ani, CEO of Oman LNG Development Foundation, signed on behalf of the company. The historical city of Qalhat is one of Oman's oldest cities and ports, boasting a strategic location overlooking the Sea of Oman. This made its ancient harbor a hub for trading ships, a crossroads of diverse cultures, and a maritime trade link with India, Yemen, and other regions of the world. It also served as a center for exporting Arabian horses to India. Khalifa Mubarak Al Farsi, Director of the Qalhat Archaeological Site Department, stated that the visitor center project represents a new cultural legacy and a significant addition to Qalhat city, the Wilayat of Sur, and the South A'Sharqiyah Governorate as a whole. Meanwhile, Eng. Ismail Sulaiman Al Sawafi, General Manager of Social Responsibility and Public Relations at Oman LNG, explained that the project will enhance the city's appeal as a heritage and tourist destination at the national, regional, and international levels. It will also generate direct employment opportunities and promote the sale of local products. It is worth mentioning that the ancient city of Qalhat was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2018, underscoring the historical significance of this landmark.
Zawya
20-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
‘LNG from Oman': Unified brand for Oman's LNG
MUSCAT- With two more LNG projects currently under development and construction, the Sultanate is seeking to leverage this significant expansion of its LNG industry to build a new brand around the global sales of LNG from Oman. Stylised as 'LNG from Oman', this brand will encompass exports from Oman LNG's three-train complex at Qalhat, future production from the under-construction Marsa LNG bunkering project at Sohar Port, and the proposed fourth LNG train project, dubbed 'Sur LNG', which is currently under deliberation. According to Hamed al Naamany, CEO of Oman LNG, the branding initiative aims to capitalise on the strong foundations of trust, reliability, and flexibility that have characterised Oman's LNG exports over the past two decades. 'We're delivering 'LNG from Oman' because that is the brand the global market recognises and trusts,' Al Naamany said. 'This includes Sur LNG, our planned fourth train, and Marsa LNG in Sohar, a dedicated bunkering facility being built in partnership with TotalEnergies and our sister company OQ. Oman's market positioning is not about who operates the plant but the reliability and flexibility of the product from the country,' he added in an interview with The Energy Year (formerly The Oil & Gas Year). Elaborating on this point, Al Naamany described LNG from Oman as a brand offering a 'differentiated value proposition.' He explained: 'We work closely with different types of buyers – whether in Europe, Asia, or among portfolio players – to tailor commercial flexibility to their needs and ours. We are known as one of the most agile producers globally. We listen to our customers while meeting the expectations of our government. That dual responsiveness resulted in the successful signing of long-term agreements in record time.' Majority government-owned Oman LNG will play a pivotal role in this new brand positioning, the CEO noted. To this end, the company plans to build on its recent debottlenecking efforts, which enabled it to produce a record 12 million tonnes of LNG in 2024, surpassing its nameplate capacity of 11.4 million tonnes. This additional capacity, he added, has enhanced the company's ability to respond to spot-market demand and seasonal fluctuations. He further noted that nearly 85% of Oman LNG's volumes are now secured through term contracts ranging from three to ten years, offering a balance of stability and flexibility. Marsa LNG, meanwhile, will serve as a 'differentiator,' said Al Naamany. 'Marsa is the world's first purpose-built LNG bunkering facility. The location is fantastic, and we're all for it. Global shipping is shifting to LNG-fuelled vessels, and Oman sits on a key trade route. The government's decision to develop Marsa sends a powerful message: Oman will participate in every LNG market segment – power, transport, bunkering – as part of its growth and diversification agenda.' Also integral to the new branding is the Sur LNG project – a fourth train with a planned capacity of 3.8 million tonnes per annum, slated for launch by 2029, subject to a Final Investment Decision (FID). 'Sur LNG aims to be ready this year with a full proposal,' said Al Naamany. 'The final decision will rest with the government and the partners. The market clearly wants the product, and with a compelling value proposition, we could see delivery in less than four years from approval.' Feedstock for Oman LNG, Qalhat LNG and the proposed Sur LNG project is expected to come from a variety of sources, Al Naamany noted. 'We've always been flexible. When Khazzan came on line in 2018, we adapted. Our facilities at Oman LNG, Qalhat LNG, and Sur LNG are designed to process various gas compositions. We don't rely on specific fields; we adjust to what the government assigns. Our competitive edge lies in modifying plants cost-effectively while maintaining output.' Another pillar of Oman LNG's competitive edge in the global market is its 'commercial agility', he said, adding that the use of advanced optimisation tools – such as swapping, diverting, and re-trading – has contributed significantly to this strength. 'That's why energy traders and large portfolio players are partnering with us. We now have 14 Sales and Purchase Agreements (SPAs) with companies such as Botas, Shell, BP, TotalEnergies, Jera, Mitsui, Vitol, Mercuria, Kansai Electric Power, PTT, SEFE, OQT, and Sinopec, delivering volumes from 2025 to 2034. And there's more to come,' Al Naamany concluded. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
