The Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (Sezad) has granted Oman Tank Terminal Company (OTTCO) a usufruct right to construct Ras Markaz crude oil storage terminal.
OTTCO is one of Oman Oil Company’s subsidiaries, the investment arm for the Sultanate of Oman in the field of oil and gas industry.
The agreement was executed on behalf of Sezad by Yahia bin Said bin Abdullah Al Jabri in his capacity as the chairman of the board and on behalf of Oman Tank Terminal Company by Eng. Isam bin Saud Al Zadjali, CEO of Oman Oil Company and Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali as the director of OTTCO
The establishment of Ras Markaz crude oil storage terminal falls under the Sultanate’s promising plan for economic diversification and maintaining a crude oil storage terminal for Oman and as an endeavour to make Oman become an international centre for the storage of crude oil and its derivatives leveraging its geographic location alongside the Indian Ocean.
Moreover, the newly established terminal will help Oman find an additional port for the export of crude oil.
Ras Markaz is located 70-km south of Al Duqm Centre and the total area allocated for the storage terminal is 1,253 hectares which is deemed convenient for high storage capacities.
The agreement grants OTTCO exclusive rights to develop the storage of crude oil and its derivatives in Ras Markaz area for a period of 20 years and for five years in Sezad as a whole provided that no other company will be permitted to establish or carry on any similar activity.
Five Year Development Plan
The agreement which will last for 40 years stipulates upon the development of Ras Markaz area under a five year plan which will cover the establishment and construction of tanks for the storage of crude oil and its derivatives, establishment of floating platforms and piers for the import and export of crude oil and its derivatives, pier for the tug boats under water pipelines to receive and export oil with lengths ranging from 5km to 7k. The plan will cover also the establishment of a plant for pumping oil to the tanks.
The project will include laboratories, control rooms, administrative offices for the company in addition to the other safety and securities facilities. The new terminal will be designed in a manner to allow for blending, loading and unloading the ships at reasonable times the matter that help the clients save the logistic costs deeming it as a competitive privilege.
Moreover, the geographic advantages for Ras Markaz location will provide and maintain a free access to the newly established terminal with an operational capacity around 99 per cent.
Storage capacity
According to the agreement, the storage capacity for the newly established terminal during Phase I will amount to 26 million barrels and it will be executed along a period of 10 years commencing as of the date of contract signature, and the company will gradually increase its capacity as per the growth of the demand.
Volume of investments for Phase I:
According to the agreement, OTTCO will be committed to develop all five phases either personally or via investment consortium or by means of soliciting and utilisation of third parties’ investments.
Total investment during Phase I is expected to reach $1.756 billion inclusive of $815 million invested to cover the costs for the crude oil tanks and $941 million covering the costs for the construction of the marine and other infrastructure facilities.
Phase I will cover the construction of crude oil storage tanks with capacity of 26 million barrels. Moreover, during phase I, OTTCO will execute marine facilities for importing and exporting crude oil with a handling capacity of 100 barrel per hour during this phase of the project apart from the onshore pumping plant and the basic internal infrastructure within the boundaries of the area.