PDO outlines stiff 2030 emissions targets
Beyond a flashy pledge of long-term carbon-neutrality lie some meaningful medium-term goals that could substantially speed up Muscat’s lagging decarbonisation efforts
Scepticism was the reaction when state-controlled Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), the sultanate’s main oil producer, unveiled plans in early September to become carbon-neutral by 2050. Like the government’s ‘goal’ to cut historic economic dependence on hydrocarbons by more than three-quarters within two decades, PDO’s superficially eye-catching aim essentially rebrands physical inevitability as environmental virtue. The country’s reserves/production ratio stood at a mere 15.4 years at end-2020, according to BP’s latest Annual Statistical Review. Barring the improbable discovery of a long-elusive elephant, Oman will have little crude left to pump by mid-century. PDO’s task since the early 2
![](/images/white-fade.png)
Also in this section
26 July 2024
Oil majors play it safe amid unfavourable terms in latest oil and gas licensing bid rounds allowing Chinese low-ball moves
25 July 2024
Despite huge efforts by India’s government to accelerate crude production, India’s dependency shows no sign of easing
24 July 2024
Diesel and jet fuel supplies face a timebomb in just four years, and even gasoline may not be immune
23 July 2024
Rosneft’s Arctic megaproject is happening despite sanctions, a lack of foreign investment and OPEC+ restrictions. But it will take a long time for its colossal potential to be realised