Oman: gas gushes

Natural gas production from the giant Khazzan field has begun, as Oman seeks new energy investors in a stable corner of the Gulf

The Khazzan project, in the view of BP's Oman country manager, Yousuf al-Ojaili, is a big deal. He says it is "one of the biggest gas developments in the Middle East". When phases 1 and 2 are complete, the Khazzan project is expected to produce 1.5bn cubic feet a day, equivalent to 40% of Oman's gas supply. It's all happened fast. In December 2013, BP (operator with a 60% stake) and Oman Oil Company Exploration and Development (40%) signed an exploration production-sharing agreement (EPSA) for the Khazzan venture in Block 61 in central Oman. The EPSA was amended in 2016, increasing the size of the licence to allow the second phase of development. The project wasn't all plain sailing. Accordi