Oman is advancing a comprehensive strategy to enhance oil and gas production efficiency while expanding renewable energy use and reducing carbon emissions, aligning with its Vision 2040 goals and a national net-zero target by 2050. The Ministry of Energy and Minerals outlined the multi-faceted approach, which includes policy development, investment incentives, technological innovation, and strengthened regulation to facilitate a gradual transition to a lower-carbon energy system.

Dr. Saleh bin Ali al Anbouri, Director-General of Oil and Gas Exploration and Production, highlighted the ministry’s encouragement of advanced technologies to boost oil recovery and minimize environmental impact. He pointed to Petroleum Development Oman’s (PDO) pilot project at the Zulaimah field, where carbon dioxide is employed in enhanced oil recovery operations. This initiative not only improves extraction from tight rock formations but also advances carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies.

The ministry also supports renewable energy projects integrated with oil and gas activities. Two wind projects, Wind 1 and Wind 2, with a combined capacity of up to 200 megawatts, have reached about 42 percent completion and are scheduled to become operational in Block 6 in the fourth quarter of 2026. These projects are expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 740,000 tonnes annually. Additionally, a 100-megawatt solar photovoltaic facility in northern Block 6 is over halfway complete and aims to begin operations in the second quarter of 2026, with projected emission reductions exceeding 220,000 tonnes per year.

Sustainable water management is another focus area. The Nimr Wetland project treats produced water through reed beds with a capacity of 175,000 cubic meters daily, lowering emissions by 113,000 tonnes annually while creating a habitat for more than 140 bird and animal species. The Rima Water Treatment Plant, operational since 2022, uses biological processes to treat about 40,000 cubic meters of water daily, saving up to 10 megawatts of energy and reducing emissions by 48,000 tonnes per year.

Other notable projects include the 100-megawatt Amin Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant, which has cut emissions by over 1.1 million tonnes since 2020, and the Miraah Solar Steam Generation Project that provides clean energy for enhanced oil recovery. PDO has increased its renewable energy use target to 30 percent of its operational power consumption by 2026.

Oman’s net-zero roadmap aims for a 33 percent reduction in overall emissions by 2035 relative to 2024 levels. The oil and gas sector targets up to a 48 percent cut by 2035, comprising a 10 percent committed reduction and an additional 38 percent contingent on financing, technology advancements, and international support.

The country is also pursuing the elimination of routine gas flaring by recovering and reusing associated gas. Several sites have already halved routine flaring through enhanced gas recovery infrastructure and reuse for power generation and production processes.

The implementation of a carbon market regulatory framework is anticipated to bolster emissions reduction efforts by facilitating the trade of carbon credits. The ministry expects that this framework will enhance transparency, attract investment, and enable companies to leverage global carbon markets.

These initiatives illustrate Oman’s effort to balance the continued development of its oil and gas sector with the expansion of cleaner energy solutions and lower-emission technologies.