Oman is planning to explore shale gas in concession areas of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), according to Khalifa Mubarak Al Hinai, advisor at the Ministry of Oil and Gas.
Commercial viability
According to the official, studies are now on to check the viability of developing shale gas fields in Oman, the Times of Oman reported.
"At the moment we are not drilling. It is just a study," Al Hinai said, on the sidelines of Gas Arabia Summit.
"If found commercially viable, the development of shale gas, which is unconventional natural gas from shale formations, will be the responsibility of oil companies operating in those concessions."
3.5 billion cubic feet a day
Oman produces 3.5 billion cubic feet a day of natural gas, he said, adding that 1.5 billion cubic feet a day goes to liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants for exports.
"We also import about 140 million cubic feet a day of gas from Dolphin project. The production matches demand for gas at the moment."
