Oman plays decarbonisation catch-up

The sultanate is in the early days of a belated push into hydrogen

Oman has moved slowly into the clean energy arena even by the standards of the hydrocarbons-rich region—surprisingly so, since it lacks the bountiful oil and gas endowment of its neighbours. However, the absorption of government-led Petroleum Development Oman—producer of some two-thirds of the sultanate’s crude and around three-quarters of its revenues—into newly-created Energy Development Oman in December, with a remit to spearhead the energy transition, signalled a new seriousness of intent. Plans are afoot for green hydrogen projects at Sohar and Duqm, the oldest and newest of the country’s industrial hubs. And in late January, a global giant was co-opted into the drive to enter the burge