BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, JAN 15
OQ, a global integrated energy group, inaugurated yesterday its new ammonia plant in Dhofar governorate with an investment cost of about $463 million and a production capacity of 1,000 metric tonnes per day of liquid ammonia.
The inauguration ceremony was held under the patronage of HH Sayyid Marwan bin Turki al Said, Governor of Dhofar, in the presence of a number of their excellencies, shaikhs, CEOs and local dignitaries.
HH Sayyid Marwan toured the facilities of the ammonia plant. He listened to a detailed explanation about the production stages and the role played by the plant in supporting the governmental plans related to the economic diversification policies and the efforts made to maximise the added value of Omani natural resources.
Like other strategic development projects of the Group, OQ’s ammonia plant in Dhofar contributes to enhancing the in-country added value. The value of OQ’s procurements from Omani companies amounted to about $199 million. Products manufactured in the Sultanate of Oman had a big share of it. The project has also contributed to creating many job and training opportunities. Additionally, it has supported some social investment initiatives in Dhofar governorate.
Economic Diversification
On this occasion, HH Sayyid Marwan bin Turki al Said, said: “The National projects in the petrochemicals sector, implemented by Oman Investment Authority (OIA) through OQ Group would contribute to enhancing the economic growth and diversification plans in the Sultanate of Oman to keep pace with the overarching development under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, may Allah protect Him.
They also reinforce the economic diversification efforts in the country to be in line with Oman Vision 2040.”
The Chief Guest expressed his happiness over the success achieved with the inauguration of OQ’s Ammonia plant which was built in line with the highest levels of operational efficiency. He also indicated that this reflects the efforts exerted by OQ Group to leverage the use of Omani natural resources, maximise its benefits and boost the processing industries in the Sultanate of Oman.
HH Sayyid Marwan pointed out that the plant will contribute to supporting the economic activities in the energy sector, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and provide direct and indirect employment opportunities for fresh and experienced Omanis.
For his part, Mulhim bin Bashir al Jarf, Deputy President for Investment at Oman Investment Authority and Board Chairman of OQ Group, expressed his happiness on this occasion saying: “We are extremely happy with the inauguration of OQ’s Ammonia Plant in Dhofar governorate, as an investment that is being inaugurated to mark Oman’s celebrations of its 52nd National Day. I would like to express our sincerest gratitude to HH Sayyid Marwan bin Turki al Said, Governor of Dhofar, on patronising the inauguration ceremony of the plant and touting its facilities.”
“The ammonia plant is one of the strategic development projects owned by OQ. It goes in line with the drives of Oman Investment Authority to promote investment in heavy and downstream industries by leveraging the Omani natural resources with the objective of increasing to its role in increasing their contributions of to the gross domestic product,” Al Jarf added.
He concluded: “We hope that this project would contribute to achieving added value from its products that will be exported to international markets. This will enhance the position of Omani exports and attract more foreign investments to the economic sectors according to the priorities of Oman Vision 2040”.
In his speech during the ceremony, Talal al Awfi, CEO of OQ Group, said: “Today marks a significant milestone in OQ’s journey as we celebrate a qualitative addition to the investments of OQ, a global integrated energy group. OQ, which is affiliated to Oman Investment Authority, always seeks to support our national economy to achieve Oman Vision 2040.
The plant is another economic asset that is being added to OQ’s investments in Dhofar Governorate, which houses three major projects of the Group including the Methanol Plant and Salalah LPG Plant, OQ Ammonia Plant, as well as Raysut Petroleum Products Storage Terminal, which is the oldest facilities of the Group in Dhofar.”
“This plant is integrated with the existing 1 million tonnes per year capacity methanol plant, which will enable OQ Group to rationalise the cost and optimise performance and production efficiency. The plant uses the most advanced technologies licensed by international ammonia production entities according to the highest occupational safety standards applicable in Oman and across the world,” Al Awfi pointed out.
He explained that the ammonia plant will promote the Omani exports. The plant exports its products to international markets via Salalah Port through OQ Trading limited, the trading arm of the group. He elucidated that the demand for ammonia products in the global markets is witnessing constant growth leading to higher returns and rendering the project highly feasible.
Al Awfi concluded: “The economic significance of the Ammonia Plant is paramount in light of its integration with other projects. Ammonia is used in the production of green hydrogen, which is a key component of the OQ Energy Transition Agenda.”
Ammonia is used as a key ingredient in the production of fertilisers and is an important intermediate chemical in the manufacturing of synthetic resins, detergents, coolants, synthetic fibres, and polyurethanes, among other applications.
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