Oman Offers Five Exploration Blocks Including ‘Cornerstone’ Acreage

17 Apr 2026 Issue: 69 / 16 By: James Marriott

Oman’s energy ministry is offering five exploration blocks in a new bid round, four of which were carved out of two larger blocks previously operated by TotalEnergies and Shell. The ministry says the most prospective acreage is in the former Block 12 in central Oman’s upstream heartland.

Oman’s energy ministry has announced a new bid round comprising five exploration blocks as part of its renewed push to attract international investment in its upstream. Four of the blocks were created by splitting up two larger blocks relinquished by IOCs.

The first block to have been broken up is Block 12, which was relinquished by TotalEnergies (80%op) and Thailand’s state firm PTTEP (20%) last year (MEES, 13 June 2025). The block has been split in two, with the southern portion now known as Block 16 (see map). Likewise, Block 42 has also been divided in two after Shell (50%op) and Omani state upstream operator OQEP (50%) exited in 2023. A south west portion of the block has been split off and named Block 45. The fifth asset on offer is Block 55, which Shell operated between 2019 and 2024. (CONTINUED - 1262 WORDS)