Heavy oil exhibition opens in Muscat

Muscat: World Heavy Oil Congress (WHOC) is currently being held in Oman from September 3 to 5 for the first time. The three busy days at the Oman Conventions and Exhibition Centre will see conferences held on a varied range of topics by renowned speakers from different countries as well as international exhibition where businesses will showcase products, technology, and services.
"This is the first time that the World Heavy Oil Congress is taking place in Oman. Oman has experience of heavy oil and how to deal with it. We have been implementing so many technologies be it thermal, chemical or gas emissable projects in Petroleum Development Oman (PDO)," said Dr Saleh Ali Al Masroori, Director General for Planning and Studies, Ministry of Oil and Gas.
"Increasingly becoming an important part of the future oil mix due to rapid innovation and technological advancements, heavy and extra-heavy oil resources have been estimated at 40 per cent of the world’s oil reserves; of which about one-third are said to be in the Middle East," he added.
"Energy is the essence. Electricity is dependent on oil and gas. Energy is increasing, the demand is increasing worldwide so we have an obligation to cater for that expansion and growth," he said.
A number of projects have been sanctioned in the Sultanate and new projects will continue to unveil. As a result more jobs will also be created. "Projects are continuing. There will always be new projects to unlock the potential of heavy oil resources. Hopefully this sector will be a job provider for the locals," he added.
Amran Al Marhubi, Technical Director of PDO, mentioned the two potential areas that can be Oman's biggest assets in terms of the future of energy. According to him, PDO and the oil and gas sector in Oman is in the beginning of working hand-in-hand with renewables as future of the world depends on the development of cheap renewable energy.
"One thing is sure, the world for the next 30-40 years will still be heavily dependent on oil. What we've got to do is maximise recovery, minimise costs and produce income which will allow the country to make the necessary transition to a different source of energy and renewables. So our first role is o make sure we are producing the cash surpluses that allow the country to invest," he said.
"Secondly, our biggest asset is our people and making use of our people to help the country make that transition. PDO does have a desire over time to become an energy company than just an oil company," he added.