A three-day workshop on Tight Gas—Challenges and Opportunities, was organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Muscat recently.

The opening day began with remarks by HE Salim Al Aufi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Oil and Gas. Al Aufi said an announcement regarding new gas discoveries would be made only after the new fields are suitably tested and appraised. The discovery of Mabrouk, besides the successful development of Khazzan and Ghazeer tight-gas fields by BP Oman in Block 61, was progressing well even as new finds were being unearthed. Tight-gas reserves are a key source of natural gas for the Sultanate, he said. Al Aufi’s remarks were followed by keynote addresses by Sami Baqi, Technical Director at Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and Yousuf Al-Ojaili, President Oman at BP.

“Tight-gas will continue to be a significant component of natural gas supply locally, regionally and internationally. According to demand projections outlined in BP’s Energy Outlook 2019 report, natural gas will account for a sizable 26 per cent of total energy demand by the year 2040,” said Yousuf Al Ojaili.

“Supply from natural tight gas reservoirs is becoming more significant for Oman and other countries in the region. This year’s edition of SPE Tight Gas Workshop has brought together expertise to one forum to discuss challenges, opportunities and the need for new technologies with respect to this continued growing business,” said Khamis Al Shammakhi, Workshop Co-Chair and Saih Nihayda Cluster Leader of Gas Directorate at PDO.

An executive plenary session also took place on the first day where panelists provided insights on the challenges faced, implementation of innovative ideas, and debate fulfilling the increasing demand of gas efficiently on the regional and world stages. Plenary speakers included Saif Al Khayari, Technical Director at OOCEP; Yousuf Al-Ojaili; Moutaz Al Riyami, Gas Director at PDO; and Zeinoun Klink, Vice President at Halliburton. Additionally, the workshop agenda included a panel session titled Technology Gaps in Unlocking Tight Gas, six technical sessions, and a seminar.