Oman advances on multiple fronts

Both offshore oil and onshore gas projects are progressing with the backing of several international firms

Amid the gloom engulfing world oil markets over the past month the Omani government has received very positive domestic industry news.  After decades of fruitless exploration, and years of delay in developing its debut discovery, production has finally began from waters off the mainland and a major joined the search for more. Onshore, Total has deepened its commitment to the sultanate's drive to boost scarce gas supplies from unconventional reserves in the country’s north-west region.  Masirah Oil, majority-owned by Singapore-based exploration-technology specialist Rex International, struck offshore oil in 2014. It made the discovery in Block 50, a 16,500km² licence off the central-east coas