Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman kicked off his mini-tour of the Gulf Cooperation Council states with a visit to Oman on 7 December. MoUs for projects worth in excess of $10bn were signed during the trip, including for some notable energy-sector projects.

Two of the proposed energy-sector projects centered on the Special Economic Zone of Duqm (Sezad), which Oman plans to develop into a major industrial city. The focal point of Sezad is the OQ8 downstream complex (formerly known as Duqm Refinery Petrochemical Industries). The $8bn first phase of the complex is a 230,000 b/d refinery, but construction has been repeatedly delayed and the refinery isn’t expected to be operational until 1Q 2023. (CONTINUED - 809 WORDS)