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Oman: ARA eyes Q3 2027 gas pipeline launch

MUSCAT - Omani upstream energy company ARA Petroleum plans to commission a gas export pipeline by the third quarter of 2027 as part of efforts to curb gas flaring and improve the utilisation of natural gas produced from its operations in Oman.

The project, originally scheduled for earlier completion, will transport surplus gas from the Qalah and Burhaan facilities to the Kawther Gas Plant once operational, allowing gas that might otherwise be flared to be recovered and put to productive use. ARA Petroleum disclosed the revised commissioning timeline in its newly published 2025 Sustainability Report.

“The Gas Export Pipeline project is a key initiative focused on reducing gas flaring while improving the effective use of natural gas across ARA Petroleum’s operations,” the company said, adding that full commissioning is now anticipated by Q3 2027.

The project is expected to reduce gas flaring by approximately 93%, according to the report, significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions while supporting Oman’s broader sustainability objectives and ARA Petroleum’s Net Zero ambitions.

Key components include a Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) pipeline designed for long-term gas transportation and a gas compression unit to facilitate efficient gas flow through the system. Together, the infrastructure will enable ARA to capture and transport surplus gas from its Qarat Al Milh Small Fields (QSF) operations for processing at Kawther.

The pipeline project forms part of ARA Petroleum’s broader strategy to minimise routine flaring by converting excess gas into a useful energy resource. Under its “Flare to Power” approach, the company uses recovered gas as fuel for power generation, improving energy efficiency while reducing reliance on conventional fuels and lowering the carbon intensity of its operations.

Progress was also recorded in gas utilisation during 2025. Burhan operations increased flare-gas utilisation by 7.2% year-on-year, reflecting operational measures to maximise the recovery and productive use of associated gas that would otherwise have been flared.

The improvement contributes to lower greenhouse-gas emissions and greater resource efficiency, while reinforcing ARA Petroleum’s environmental and decarbonisation commitments.

ARA Petroleum, established in 2014 and part of The Zubair Corporation portfolio, operates across the hydrocarbon exploration and production lifecycle, from exploration and appraisal through development and production.

In Oman, its upstream portfolio includes the QSF Area, where it holds a 100% operating interest spanning 15 fields and 132 wells, with production of more than 20,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). ARA is also the sole operator of Blocks 44 and 31, comprising three fields and 16 wells, with combined production exceeding 600 boepd.

The gas export pipeline therefore represents a significant infrastructure investment in improving the environmental performance and resource efficiency of ARA’s Omani upstream operations, particularly through the recovery of gas currently lost through flaring.