Occidental Oman concludes participation in oil summit

Muscat: Occidental of Oman, (together with its local affiliate, Oxy Oman) on Wednesday concluded its participation in the 9th edition of the World Heavy Oil Congress (WHOC). The three-day event was inaugurated by Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhi, Minister of Oil and Gas, and was held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. Occidental of Oman participated in the WHOC and exhibition as a Golden sponsor, taking part in the Strategic Conference, Technical Conference and International Exhibition.
Steve Kelly, President and General Manager, and Adnan Al Lawati, Vice President for the Mukhaizna Operations of Oxy Oman, participated as panellists at the Strategic Conference. Kelly engaged in discussions on the use of advanced technology to reduce heavy oil production Opex, as well as a debate over the shift to digitally-enabled operating models and portfolios, and whether such a step would result in connected collaboration or intense competition. Al Lawati participated in a session on business transformation strategies and sustainable results. The discussions involved subjects such as strategies implemented to minimise the environmental impact of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), as well as analysing investment trends, policy regulations, and subsidies available for exploration and production projects.
Visitors to Oxy Oman’s stand at the international exhibition were briefed on Oxy Oman’s technologies and workforce on both international and local levels. Oxy Oman started operations in 1984 and has since achieved several milestones, as it became the largest independent oil producer in the country. The company launched one of the world’s first water-flood projects designed for horizontal production wells.
For EOR operations, Oxy Oman has built one of the world’s largest mechanical vapour compression stations in Mukhaizna for its steam flood operations. The success of Oxy Oman in the country is largely attributed to Omani nationals, who constitute more than 90 per cent of Oxy Oman employees, and have been trained and developed through programmes that have created the next generation of energy workers and leaders in Oman. Oxy Oman is looking forward to accomplishing more milestones in Oman through long-standing partnerships and by the efforts of its dedicated workforce.
This year, WHOC took place for the first time in Oman, witnessing the participation of 41 countries, and the presentation of 336 papers; the highest figures since WHOC’s inception in 2006. The event has been a major platform for the global heavy oil industry, offering companies and heavy oil professionals the opportunity to do business, while showcasing the best in terms of business, strategy and technology.