Sabic's first investment outside of Saudi Arabia
Oman enters 2023 on a high
International commitments to its expanding petchems and LNG industries are a huge boon
Muscat sealed deals with Riyadh and Tokyo critical to the future of its petrochemicals and LNG industries as 2022 drew to a close. The agreements are also crucial to the sultanate on a macroeconomic basis, as production from its relatively meagre and high-cost crude reserves is set to enter terminal decline. Expansion of the local petchems industry—initially with liquids feedstock due to a recent chronic gas shortage—has long been central to Muscat’s strategy to diversify exports and fiscal receipts away from crude and expand domestic manufacturing, creating urgently needed jobs. The state has pursued the goal with notable single-mindedness, paying for the construction of the largest project
Also in this section
4 December 2025
Time is running out for Lukoil and Rosneft to divest international assets that will be mostly rendered useless to them when the US sanctions deadline arrives in mid-December
3 December 2025
Aramco’s pursuit of $30b in US gas partnerships marks a strategic pivot. The US gains capital and certainty; Saudi Arabia gains access, flexibility and a new export future
2 December 2025
The interplay between OPEC+, China and the US will define oil markets throughout 2026
1 December 2025
The North African producer’s first bidding round in almost two decades is an important milestone but the recent extension suggests a degree of trepidation
