Saturday 11 / April / 2026
Muscat: The Ministry of Energy and Minerals has said it continues to intensify efforts to maximise the value of the Sultanate’s natural resources by adopting advanced technologies and innovation to improve production efficiency and sustainability, while adhering to strict occupational safety and environmental standards.
The ministry emphasised that its approach aligns with its broader vision of enhancing hydrocarbon value and supporting sustainable economic growth through an integrated resource management system.
A key focus of these efforts is the use of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) technologies, which are considered a strategic pillar in boosting output from mature oil fields across Oman. These techniques help increase the amount of oil extracted after conventional production methods reach their limits.
Dr. Saleh bin Ali Al-Anbouri, Director General of Oil and Gas Exploration and Production at the ministry, said Oman has become a global model in applying advanced recovery methods, successfully transforming geological and operational challenges into opportunities for innovation and higher recovery rates.
He explained that most of Oman’s oil fields, discovered between the 1960s and 1980s, are characterized by complex geological structures, including reservoir heterogeneity and high oil viscosity. Despite this, Oman has developed advanced technical solutions based on detailed reservoir analysis and continuous improvement of production techniques.
He added that the country has applied a wide range of EOR methods across sandstone and carbonate reservoirs, including steam injection, gas injection, and polymer-based chemical injection.
According to the ministry, oil production is increasingly reliant on enhanced recovery projects, with EOR expected to account for around 20 percent of total production in 2026, up from about 15 percent in 2021. This growth highlights the importance of these technologies in maintaining long-term production stability.
The ministry also noted that more than 680 million barrels of oil have been produced using continuous steam injection technology. Polymer injection has improved fluid movement within reservoirs, while advanced techniques such as steam-assisted gravity drainage and sour gas injection in complex carbonate reservoirs have helped increase recovery rates by 10 to 20 percent.
Officials stressed that expanding EOR applications opens significant opportunities to unlock additional reserves, particularly in fields with high-viscosity oil. They emphasized that success in this sector depends on integrating technical expertise with strategic planning and strong national capabilities in reservoir management.
The statement underscores Oman’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its position as a leading producer using advanced, technology-driven and sustainable oil recovery methods.
