Oman Oil goes global with mega service station in Saudi Arabia

Muscat: Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO) is investing heavily in mega service stations in Saudi Arabia, as it plans to push its services to a global level.
The first super service station of its kind, and the first outside Oman for Oman Oil Marketing Co, will occupy 40,000 square metres on the outskirts of Dammam in Saudi Arabia by the end of this year.
In an exclusive interview with the Times of Oman, on the eve of the anniversary of his first year as CEO, David Kalife revealed the global ambitions of the group, already a household name in the Sultanate.
Kalife said the planned service station will include cafes, chill out areas and five-star automated car washes. The plans tie in with the company’s in-country expansion as well, which includes more and better equipped mobile filling stations and a stronger commitment to Omanisation, mentoring the next generation of professionals in the nation.
Saudi Arabian market
“Not only was it our plan to open the biggest number of service stations in Oman on a yearly basis, which will again be the case this year, but to also go international; so, we decided to enter the Saudi Arabian market,” said Kalife.
“We received our licence at the end of 2015 to operate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we will be opening in the fourth quarter of this year the first service station that we are currently building,” he added.
“It will be much bigger than anything we currently find in Oman with a lot of new things in shop, food and car services we will offer customers. There will be more and better innovations.”
Mega stations
While the first OOMCO station will be in Dammam, plans for more mega stations in Oman’s western neighbour have already been drawn up and are in the pipeline.
“We have already targeted a few sites for expansion. For the moment, our geographic expansion is going to be in Saudi, so let us first focus on this one and ensure we make it a success while creating a delightful experience,” he added. “We are practical people and whatever we create is to bring value to our customers and our shareholders. We also want to bring pride to Oman and all our stakeholders”.
Quality services
Kalife reiterated Oman Oil Marketing’s commitment to always provide customers – whether in the Sultanate or abroad – the best quality of services and goods, while “energising your journey”.
Kalife concluded, “We want to definitely make it happen, while making the customer visit a joyful memory. The opening is within six months from now and we are all looking forward to it.”