Monday 09 / November / 2026
Muscat: Occidental Oman (Oxy Oman) signed on Monday three agreements with Omani companies to enhance their participation in supply chains within the energy sector. This took place on the sidelines of the Local Content event for 2026, which the company organised under the auspices of Eng. Mohsin Hamad Al Hadhrami, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.
The agreements relate to providing wellhead equipment and associated services, as well as the supply of variable frequency drive units and flanges. This step is aimed at enhancing opportunities for local suppliers and expanding the participation of national companies in operational activities and supply chains related to the energy sector.
During the forum, the company reviewed its most prominent achievements and initiatives in the fields of enhancing local content, developing small and medium enterprises, and developing national competencies.
On the human resources development front, the company reviewed the results of the "Ishaam" programme, which was launched in 2024 with the aim of enhancing Omanisation and developing national competencies. The programme contributed to providing 89 job opportunities during 2024 and 2025, alongside securing 360 additional job opportunities during the period from 2026 to 2028. Furthermore, more than 200 participants benefited from specialised training programmes, and over 1,100 practical training opportunities were included within the company's contract strategies.
In the field of supporting small and medium enterprises, the results of the "Tasharuk" programme demonstrated the provision of support to 17 Omani small and medium enterprises across eight phases. Around 450 employees work in these enterprises, with an Omanisation rate reaching 70 percent, alongside the qualification of more than 160 participants in technical and personal skills.
The event also showcased a specialised project for providing logistical solutions using drones to transport spare parts, medical supplies, and essential materials to remote operational sites. This serves as an innovative model for employing modern technologies to raise the efficiency of field operations and enhance levels of safety and sustainability.
Oxy Oman revealed its performance indicators, noting that the share of local content reached 41.5 percent of its total expenditure on supply chains by the end of the second quarter of 2026, while the proportion of spending directed to small and medium enterprises stood at 19 percent. The company also supported the awarding of 57 contracts related to local content, which included supplier development initiatives and direct local manufacturing opportunities.
The chief guest of the occasion honored a number of distinguished companies, employees, and work teams in appreciation of their prominent contributions to developing local content initiatives and enhancing their operational and strategic results.
Eng. Mohsin Hamad Al Hadhrami, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, affirmed that empowering national competencies and supporting small and medium enterprises are at the forefront of the government's priorities. He noted that the achievements realised in the field of local content reflect the ability of national programs and initiatives to bring about a qualitative leap in developing Omani enterprises, empowering them to be active partners in providing advanced technical solutions.
He clarified that these initiatives play a pivotal role in equipping Omani youth with future skills, and enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of local supply chains. He affirmed the importance of continuing investment in national capabilities and expanding the opportunities available to small and medium enterprises, in a manner that supports local added value and enhances the energy sector's contribution to achieving sustainable economic development targets.
For his part, Steven Lauver, President and General Manager of Oxy Oman, affirmed that local content represents a fundamental pillar in the company's work methodology to achieve long-term sustainable value in the Sultanate of Oman. He pointed to the company's keenness to strengthen cooperation with government entities and local partners to create sustainable economic opportunities, develop national competencies, and contribute to building a more competitive economy in accordance with the targets of "Oman Vision 2040".
