Gas talks with Oman Gas Company

In preparation of the Gas Arabia Summit (Muscat, Oman, 11-14 December 2011), The Energy Exchange met with Mr Yousuf Al Ojaili, Chief Executive Officer, Oman Gas Company and Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Summit. He shared his views on unconventional resources, pipeline network integration and the need to support economic development through increased power generation.

ENEX: Power generation for increased industrial development is a priority in Oman. What is the country planning to meet the growth demand?

Plans for gas demand include the future power growth and this receives top priority over any other project. For example all currently executed projects in Oman Gas are supplying gas to power generation projects.

ENEX: Sohar/Barka, Salalah and Sur are among the locations in need for more gas. Oman Gas Company is developing strategic plans to meet the demand. What is likely to happen in the near future?

For Sohar and Barka the project is at late construction stage and is to be commissioned soon. For Salalah, as we complete the second power station gas supply we are gearing up for a possible third power plant. Sur will see the largest power generation capacity ever built in Oman and OGC is getting ready to start gas operations in Sur soon.

ENEX: BP is surely among the key international players in the country with its $15 billion investment. How do you see the future of unconventional resources in the country and in the Middle East as a whole?

As resources for conventional gas decline worldwide combined with more demand on gas, it becomes strategic to start looking for more difficult gas and to start preparing for the next generation of gas supplies. For Oman, whether it is BP or other E&P Companies, I think that a tremendous effort has been put by both the government and concession companies to ensure that Oman will sustain its gas supplies and the picture looks positive.

ENEX: You are a strong supporter of network integration. Is a cross-country pipeline – beside the Dolphin one – a realistic vision for the future?

In fact it is a personal vision of mine. We need to learn from the huge European gas network and need to think about integrating our networks across the region based on both strategic and/or commercial grounds. Although being strategic in nature, it may not be a good commercial option to import LNG and re-gassify it next door while a better option for piping may be available.

ENEX: Yousuf, you are the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Gas Arabia Summit, set to take place in Muscat, Oman, 11-14 December 2011. Do you have a message to share with anyone who will join us at the Summit?

On behalf of the Steering Committee, I would like to welcome the Gas Arabia Summit to Oman. This is the first multi-topic conference taking place in Oman specifically for gas. The Summit comes just in time as Oman has made advancements in the development of tight and sour gas and exploring its unconventional resources.

ENEX: Thank you, Yousuf, for your insight. Anyone interested in discovering more about the Summit can visit our webpage www.theenergyexchange.co.uk/gasarabia.

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This release was published on openPR.