Unconventional resources in Oman are still at their infancy stage of acquisition and analysis of data. The break-even costs required to make these unconventional plays work are very high. At times of low oil prices, it’s logical to delay these projects and replace them with lower UTC projects, and this is what is happening now.

What are your final thoughts on the overall exploration scenario in Oman?

Exploration is a very healthy business in Oman. It’s actually healthier than ever before because of the diversity of its plays. It’s all about technology and the creative thinking of our staff. I heard someone once say: “The Stone Age did not end because we ran out of stones”, and I strongly believe that the exploration business in Oman will not stop because we ran out of prospects.

PDO’s aspiration is to achieve 600 million barrels by 2019 and sustain that plateau for as long as we can. The exploration challenge is to fill the project portfolio funnel with low UTC projects that can hopefully prolong the plateau and delay the high UTC projects from enhanced oil recovery.

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