Overview
Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is the largest oil and gas exploration and production company in Oman, with origins tracing to 1937. PDO operates under a concession agreement (most recently renewed through 2044) covering the vast Block 6 area in central and southern Oman — an area of approximately 90,000 square kilometres that contains Oman’s largest oil fields.
The company is a joint venture between the Government of Oman (60%), Shell (34%), TotalEnergies (4%), and Partex (2%). Shell serves as the technical operator, providing engineering expertise and operational management under contract to the JV. PDO produces approximately 600,000-650,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, representing approximately 70% of Oman’s total hydrocarbon production.
Block 6 Operations
Oman’s oil fields are predominantly mature assets that require sophisticated production techniques to maintain output. PDO is a world leader in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR):
Steam injection: PDO operates one of the world’s largest thermal EOR programmes at the Marmul and Amal heavy oil fields in southern Oman. Steam injection reduces the viscosity of heavy crude, enabling production from reservoirs that would otherwise be sub-economic.
Polymer flooding: At the Marmul field, PDO has deployed polymer flooding at commercial scale — injecting polymer solutions to improve the sweep efficiency of water flooding. This was the first large-scale polymer flood in the Middle East.
Miscible gas injection: PDO injects gas (including CO2 and hydrocarbon gas) into some reservoirs to maintain pressure and improve oil recovery.
These EOR techniques are more expensive than conventional production but enable Oman to maintain production from fields that have been producing for 50+ years. PDO’s EOR expertise is internationally recognised and has been the subject of knowledge transfer to other national oil companies.
Omanisation and Workforce
PDO is one of Oman’s model employers in terms of Omanisation — approximately 80% of PDO’s workforce comprises Omani nationals, significantly above the national private sector average. PDO runs extensive graduate recruitment and professional development programmes, and has been a significant developer of Omani technical and managerial talent.
PDO’s Omanisation success reflects both policy (the JV’s obligations under the concession agreement) and practice (long-term investment in Omani graduate development). The company has been a pipeline into senior corporate roles for many of Oman’s most experienced oil sector professionals.
Sustainability and Decarbonisation
PDO has made commitments to reduce its operational greenhouse gas emissions:
- Zero routine flaring target
- Methane emission monitoring and reduction
- Renewable-powered remote facilities
- Nature-based solutions and carbon offset programmes
The 2044 concession renewal includes sustainability commitments that align with Oman’s broader net-zero 2050 target. PDO’s scale means its operational emissions decisions have significant national-level implications.