SALALAH: Public confidence in Oman’s energy and minerals sector cannot be built through project announcements and performance indicators alone, the Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals said on Sunday, calling for clearer information on how national resources are managed and the economic and social value they generate.
Mohsin bin Hamad al Hadhrami, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals said at the Energy and Minerals Media Forum 2026 that trust depended on transparency, sustained communication and public access to accurate information.
He said engagement with society had become part of policymaking and implementation, reflecting the ministry’s view that citizens were partners in national development and in the value generated through the sustainable use of natural resources.
Al Hadhrami said the ministry was continuing to widen its offering of oil, gas and mineral concession areas, including offshore acreage, to strengthen Oman’s competitiveness, attract high-quality investment, expand international partnerships and support renewable energy and hydrogen development.
The expansion had diversified investment opportunities, increased competition, improved the quality of resource data and stimulated activity in exploration, production, logistics and technical services, he said.
He described the media as a strategic partner in explaining the sector’s technical and economic issues, adding that a unified media approach did not mean uniform opinions or messages, but accurate information, timely circulation and stronger coordination between the ministry, operating companies and news organisations.
The forum, organised by the ministry in Dhofar Governorate in cooperation with companies operating in the sector, was held under the theme “Energy and Society: Partnership and Impact”. The ministry said it was timed to use the Khareef Dhofar Season to bring the sector closer to the public.
Dr Aflah bin Said al Hadhrami, Managing Director of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), said the sector still offered exploration and production opportunities after decades of operations, with modern technology improving understanding of reservoirs, opening access to more complex resources and raising recovery rates from existing fields.
PDO was working to balance production with safety and environmental requirements through investment in technology, national skills and operational efficiency, he said.
Such investment could cut emissions and reduce energy and water use while preparing young Omanis to lead the sector’s technical transformation. Reporting on the sector should also cover in-country value, support for small and medium enterprises, training and the advancement of Omanis into technical and leadership positions, he said.
Ashraf bin Hamad al Mamari, Group Chief Executive Officer of OQ, said the group assessed investments according to commercial viability, their contribution to the national economy, their ability to build local supply chains and their potential to strengthen Oman’s position in regional and global markets.
He said OQ’s operations, extending from exploration and production to refining, petrochemicals, manufacturing and marketing, helped increase the value generated from natural resources and supported jobs and competitive national industries.
Ahmed bin Amer al Mahrazi, CEO — Nama Group, said renewable energy would help diversify electricity generation, strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on a single source and improve the power system’s long-term efficiency.
The transition would require substantial investment in transmission and distribution networks, storage and smart systems, alongside stronger public awareness of efficient electricity and water use, he said.
Renewables supplied about 9 per cent of Oman’s electricity as of May, when Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, said projects exceeding 2.3 gigawatts were in development.
Eng Matar bin Salim al Badi, Chief Executive Officer of Minerals Development Oman, said mining could make a stronger contribution to economic diversification if extraction was linked to processing and manufacturing.
Better geological data would reduce investor risk and direct capital towards commercially viable resources, he said, while stronger links with industries, ports and economic zones could create wider opportunities for local companies, SMEs and communities near mining sites.
The forum also included presentations on investment, local content, social responsibility, Oman’s net-zero plans and the regulatory framework for carbon markets.
It was held alongside the Energy and Minerals Exhibition, which opened in the Atin area of Salalah on Saturday evening and runs until August 6. The exhibition includes nine interactive sections covering the sector’s history, its contribution to daily life, future investment and the transition towards cleaner energy.
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