Oman generated record gas output of 52bcm (5.0bn cfd) for 2023, though oil production dipped by 15,000 b/d to 1.05mn b/d with crude showing a more substantial 33,000 b/d (4%) slide at 815,000 b/d (MEES, 26 January). Though the key reason for the latter was Opec+ constraints, it was not the only one. Output declined for the first time at the sultanate’s leading gas field, Khazzan, whilst the Mukhaizna heavy oil field — one of the country’s largest —reached a new low.

Latest figures from US firm Occidental, operator of 10-12° API Mukhaizna on Block 53, and frompartner PTTEP of Thailand show output at the block slumping again to 85,000 b/d for 2023, the lowest level since output fell below headline 120,000 b/d capacity in 2021 (see chart 1). (CONTINUED - 870 WORDS)