Duqm Refinery project nears completion

Muscat: The construction of Duqm Refinery is nearly 87 per cent complete, thanks to the efforts of more than 17,000 workers.

“The refinery is expected to begin running in the first quarter of 2023,” said Yousef Al Jahdami, the general manager for the Duqm Refinery Project, speaking to the Oman News Agency.

So far, some 477,451 cubic metres of concrete, and 70,788 tonnes of steel base have been used in the project, which has been handled by 17,954 workers.

“Upon the start of its operations, the refinery will enhance and increase the refining capacities of Oman, expand economic returns on the country’s resources and petroleum products, and contribute to encouraging more economic projects in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD) has asked companies specialising in modern-day construction technology to explore investment in the area.

To this effect, SEZAD has established a number of sites where artificial intelligence techniques can be used to construct service buildings and establish projects that will improve the quality of Oman’s economic output.

“The zone provides a suitable and attractive environment for experimenting and promoting the technologies of companies specialised in the field of modern construction technologies,” said Saleh Al Hashmi, director general of planning and engineering, and the head of the modern building technology and 3D building printing team.

Speaking to the Oman News Agency, he added, “The Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm welcomes the initiatives of private sector companies and research institutions, both local and international, to expand their services and activities and develop their businesses in the region.”