BP Oman nears completion of first phase of massive natural gas project

BP Oman has announced that phase one of its huge Khazzan natural gas project is 80 percent complete and on track to deliver gas by the end of next year.

The previously undeveloped site is 350 kilometers south of Muscat in the desert. Work on the project began in 2014. Ultimately, the completed project will contribute one-third of Oman’s natural gas supply.

Much of the infrastructure is already in place, including 56 kilometers of roads, thousands of meters of power lines and a 60-kilometer water pipeline. A water treatment plant, waste management area and electricity substation have already been finished.

“This is a world-class project, and with key infrastructure and many buildings now in place, it is possible to see the real shape and scale of the facility emerging,” Yousuf Al Ojaili, BP Oman president, said. “Our aim is for first gas to be flowing by the end of 2017, representing a significant moment for Oman, with the gas that comes from Khazzan substantially increasing our country’s overall supply and supporting greater diversification of Oman’s industrial base. Reliable gas supplies are needed for the country’s power sector and energy intensive industries. Also, this unique project is an excellent opportunity to develop Omani expertise in tight gas development and BP is proud to lead this effort.”

The Khazzan drilling program is also on track, with more than 70 percent of the wells needed for the first gas project already drilled. BP eventually plans to contribute 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day to the Omani economy.