MUSCAT: Total, a leading international oil and gas company, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Oman to develop natural gas resources in the sultanate. The MoU includes both upstream and downstream businesses.
Total and Shell as operator will develop several natural gas discoveries located in the Greater Barik area onshore Block 6 with respective shares of 25 per cent and 75 per cent, as per the agreement between both companies and before possible state back-in.
The initial gas production is estimated at around 500mn cubic feet per day with a potential to reach 1bn cubic feet per day at a later stage.
“We are pleased to sign this MoU with the sultanate that will give us access to new gas resources and the opportunity to develop an integrated gas project,” Arnaud Breuillac, president – exploration and production at Total said. He added, “We will bring our expertise in LNG and will introduce access to a new gas market for Oman. Developing a LNG bunkering service will generate in-country value and job opportunities, and will support industry diversification through fostering the shipping activity in Oman.”
Total will use its equity gas entitlement as feedstock to develop a regional hub in Oman for LNG bunkering service, which will supply
LNG as a fuel to marine vessels. This will be achieved thanks to a new small-scale modular liquefaction plant to be built at Sohar port.
The plant will comprise a 1MT per year train offering the flexibility for expansion as required by the development of the LNG bunkering market.
