Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said gives a speech after being sworn in before the royal family council in Muscat in 2020
Oman carves out niche in global energy trade
The country punching way above its weight in energy is less the story of a hydrocarbon bonanza and more that of a nation seeking to make the best out of what is available
Oman, a small yet strategically positioned nation in the Middle East, is rapidly emerging as a significant player on the global energy market. Capitalising on its neutrality, recent discoveries and midstream and downstream expansion, the country is also pivoting to renewable energy and seeking to attract much-needed foreign investment to fuel its economy amid regional and global upheaval. “Oman makes it look possible to both clean up traditional oil and gas extraction while also attracting investment and interest in new energy infrastructure,” said Karen Young, a senior energy expert at US-based thinktank the Middle East Institute. “It ticks a lot of attractive boxes, as a strategic location
Also in this section
19 March 2026
The regional crisis highlights the undervalued role of fixed pipelines in the age of tanker flexibility
18 March 2026
Rising LNG exports and AI-driven power demand have raised concerns that US gas prices could climb sharply, but analysts say abundant shale supply and continued productivity gains should keep Henry Hub within a range that preserves the competitiveness of US LNG
18 March 2026
Risks of shortages in oil products may cause world leaders to panic and make mistakes instead of letting the market do what it does best
17 March 2026
The crisis in the Middle East has put LNG’s ability to offer security and flexibility under uncomfortable scrutiny
