Optimised in Oman

What has been your focus in light of the oilfield activity slowdown in Oman?
In today’s energy industry, innovation, integration and efficiency are critical to staying competitive, especially when it comes to managing complex and costly operations while meeting the rising energy demand for the region.
Service companies aspire to offer new technologies that deliver sustainable and efficient operations and BHGE is the first and only company to bring together industry-leading equipment, services and digital solutions across the entire spectrum of oil and gas development. With operations in over 120 countries, BHGE’s global scale, local know-how and commitment to service continue to be a leading force in the industry.
Our focus is on inventing smarter ways to bring energy to the world. Our main strategy is to use our latest technologies and artificial intelligence to optimise costs and increase efficiency. The recent downturn and the disruptive approaches brought along with it are redefining the shape of our industry.

How are automation and digitisation affecting the activities of the oil and gas industry?
Companies today are striving for ways to get connected to optimise their oil and gas operations. By doing so, our customers can benefit from significant cost savings, increased maintenance effectiveness, avoiding unplanned downtime and maximising equipment availability and production throughput. This is all done while reducing operational risks and improving safety.
We are bringing together the full power of digital solutions and technology from across BHGE’s fullstream industrial businesses to transform the petroleum sector, making it more agile, adaptive and highly collaborative – all of which are key elements to maintaining the sector’s competitiveness and attractiveness.
BHGE has always been a big believer in the power of data and analytics and their capability to transform our industry. As a digital industrial company, we have many solutions that help drive efficiencies, productivity and better customer outcomes.
Only BHGE has a fullstream capability: the portfolio, the technology and the people to radically transform the oil and gas industry and deliver unparalleled improvement in industrial yield for our customers – from reservoir to refinery.

What is your take on the IO model being incorporated in the industry?
The IO concept is not new to the market. However, there is a need for it now more than ever as it provides better project efficiency and cost control. We can now see most operators shifting towards this approach.
BHGE’s competitive advantage is its ability to serve customers across the entire value chain, providing cutting-edge technology and proven expertise to maximise customers’ business profitability.
From getting to first oil to maximising production in existing wells to detecting and resolving potential problems as quickly as possible, IO can help make the most of resources – people, assets and processes.
Many of the benefits from IO don’t lend themselves to dollar amount estimates of their value. These include: improved safety through an integrated safety system; improved work environments; reduced logistics and transport costs and increased energy efficiency. Where IO can be readily quantified, its value is significant.

In light of the consolidation of the services segment of the industry over the last couple of years, what is the added value a company such as BHGE can bring to Oman?
Historically, BHGE has had a strong track record in Oman. In the early 1980, BHGE established it is first electrical submersible pump (ESP) at a Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) field and in the same year BHGE started mobilising its first wireline logging unit.
BHGE also started drilling horizontal wells for PDO in 1990, and by 1998 we completed drilling its 1,000th horizontal well in Oman.
In addition, we are proud of increasing our Omanisation percentage to more than 85%, through our strong presence and strong government collaboration, resulting in skilled and capable local talents who are in a position to lead large-scale projects.
We are committed to Oman and we will continue to leverage our fullstream abilities to drive the best outcome for the country.

Considering the region’s commercial outlook from upstream to downstream, what significance does Oman hold for a full-stream company such as BHGE?
Oman plays a significant role and is uniquely positioned due to its geological nature that creates diverse oil and gas operations that vary in depth, structure, pressure and temperature.
The market provides us with an opportunity to capitalise on our advanced fullstream technologies and powerful digital tools to optimise performance and maintain the highest safety and environmental standards.
Some examples include our ultra-reliable rotating machinery, efficiency-boosting flow and process technologies and value-focused chemical solutions. Oman is a key market for BHGE and we will continue to deliver in-country value that supports the country’s economy.

What is the hydrocarbons market outlook for Oman in the short term?
Oman’s oil and gas industry continues to play a major role in the country’s economy. The sector remains the largest in Oman and continues to grow. In recent years, they launched a successful programme to boost oil output to meet increasing domestic demand and attract foreign investment and partnerships.
The Ministry of Oil and Gas is focusing on the increased use of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques, targeted to enhance oil output by 2021. Currently, EOR applications account for a considerable share of Oman’s gas production. Local energy companies play an important role in shaping the country’s economy as they adopt the latest industry trends and technologies to improve integration and operational excellence.
Recently, Total and Shell signed energy development agreements with the Omani government. The agreements will help secure the country’s long-term gas outlook, which is an indication of a promising investment environment.

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