MUSCAT : As part of its strategic vision, the Ministry is focusing on enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies to optimise output from mature oil fields, many of which were discovered between the 1960s and 1980s. These fields, often characterised by complex geology and high oil viscosity, have posed significant challenges to conventional extraction methods.
However, Oman has successfully transformed these challenges into opportunities. According to Dr. Saleh bin Ali Al Anbouri, Director General of Oil and Gas Exploration and Production, the Sultanate has emerged as a global leader in applying advanced recovery techniques, driven by innovation and a deep understanding of reservoir dynamics.
Al Anbouri highlighted that Oman’s experience is among the most diverse globally, with a wide range of EOR methods deployed across both sandstone and carbonate reservoirs. These include steam injection, gas injection, and chemical injection using polymers.
Read More
- Oman’s CPA secures RO 1,900 refund for buyer after flood-damaged vehicle dispute
- Oman court fines vehicle maintenance workshop RO 3,000, orders closure over violations
- French President speaks with His Majesty Sultan Haitham on regional security, maritime navigation
- Oman’s South Al Sharqiyah records 451 new commercial registrations in Q1 2026
- GCC states enhance water resource sustainability as renewable water share rises to 25.5%
The impact of these technologies is increasingly evident. Enhanced recovery projects are expected to contribute around 20 per cent of Oman’s total oil production in 2026, up from approximately 15 per cent in 2021, underlining their growing role in ensuring production stability.
Notably, more than 680 million barrels of oil have already been produced using continuous steam injection. Polymer injection techniques have further improved fluid movement within reservoirs, while advanced methods such as steam-assisted gravity drainage and sour gas injection in complex carbonate fields have boosted recovery rates by an additional 10 to 20 per cent.
The Ministry emphasised that expanding the adoption of these technologies will unlock significant untapped resources, particularly in high-viscosity oil fields. Success, it noted, hinges on integrating advanced technical solutions with strategic planning and strengthening national expertise in reservoir management.
For all the latest news from Oman and GCC, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.
