Oman announces new oil discoveries, gas and oil deals with Iran

Crude oil reserves in Oman currently stand at 5.2 billion barrels, and gas reserves at around 24 trillion cubic feet. (ONA)
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Updated 04 June 2022
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Oman announces new oil discoveries, gas and oil deals with Iran

  • Oil discoveries to boost production by up to 100,000 barrels, energy minister says

LONDON: Oman on Saturday announced new oil discoveries with companies operating in the sultanate that would increase production by 50,000 to 100,000 barrels in the next two or three years.
Minister of Energy and Minerals Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Rumhi said his ministry will continue exploration efforts so the country’s crude oil production remains as it is current rate or increases according to the market situation in the coming period, the official Oman News Agency reported.
He said he was optimistic about the improvement of conditions in the gas sector in the coming years, adding Oman’s crude oil reserves currently stand at 5.2 billion barrels, while gas reserves at about 24 trillion cubic feet.




Crude oil reserves in Oman currently stand at 5.2 billion barrels, and gas reserves at around 24 trillion cubic feet. (ONA)

Al-Rumhi said the sultanate had also signed a number of agreements with Iran to develop two gas pipeline projects linking the two countries and the Hengam oil field.
The announcement of the deals comes less than two weeks after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visited the sultanate and met with the country’s leaders.
Al-Rumhi said that the two sides agreed to form a technical team to review the gas pipeline project, whose agreement was signed in 2013. The pipeline is 400 square kilometers long and is expected to pump about 28 million cubic meters of gas for 15 years from Iran to Oman.




Minister of Energy and Minerals Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Rumhi said his ministry will continue exploration efforts. (ONA)

He stressed that “the two countries agreed upon developing the field that there would be a common roadmap that would benefit both parties by extracting more of it and reducing damage to the field.”
With regard to oil prices, the minister said it was difficult to predict prices during the coming period due to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
“Oil prices may remain at what they are now at the same level at least until the end of this year and may return to their levels before the outbreak of the war,” he added.
He expressed hope that the global economy will see further development and several factors that may help stabilize prices. adding the situation is expected to improve by the end of the year or early next year.


Saudi Aramco raises $4bn in bond sale as investor demand holds strong 

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Saudi Aramco raises $4bn in bond sale as investor demand holds strong 

RIYADH: Saudi Aramco raised $4 billion through a multi-tranche bond sale, extending its run of international debt offerings as the world’s largest oil exporter taps strong investor appetite for Gulf investment-grade debt. 

The notes were issued under the company’s Global Medium Term Note Program and priced on Jan. 26, Aramco said in a statement. The bonds are listed on the London Stock Exchange and span maturities from 2029 to 2056. 

This comes as Aramco remains an active borrower in global markets, having raised $5 billion through a bond sale in June and a further $3 billion via an international sukuk in September, after completing a $6 billion bond deal and a $3 billion sukuk offering in 2024. 

The latest transaction underscores the company’s ability to secure long-dated financing at competitive rates as it balances expansion spending with shareholder returns. 

Ziad Al-Murshed, Aramco’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, said: “This issuance is part of Aramco’s focused strategy to further optimize its capital structure and enhance shareholder value creation.” 

He added: “The attractive pricing achieved on the transaction reflects global investors’ continued confidence in Aramco’s financial strength and resilient balance sheet. We remain firmly committed to maintaining disciplined capital management and delivering long-term value to our shareholders.” 

The notes include a $500 million tranche due in 2029 with a 4 percent coupon and a $1.5 billion tranche due in 2031 at 4.37 percent. 

They also comprise a $1.25 billion tranche due in 2036 at 5 percent, alongside a $750 million 30-year tranche maturing in 2056 with a 6 percent coupon. 

A key indicator of the transaction’s success and Aramco’s robust credit standing was the achievement of negative new issue premiums on three of the four tranches, the statement said. 

The proceeds are expected to support the company’s ongoing capital expenditure programs, which include investments in both upstream oil and gas capacity and downstream chemical projects, as well as its strategic initiatives in new energy sectors. 

The transaction highlights Aramco’s ability to leverage its superior credit profile to secure cost-effective financing, aligning its capital structure optimization with its broader ambition of sustainable value creation for its shareholders.