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