Muscat: The Petroleum Development Oman’s (PDO) Yibal Khuff Project (YKP) has started production, marking a key milestone for the landmark facility.

The installation’s first sour wells were opened earlier this month introducing sour oil to the YKP Central Processing Facility, and the project has already started exporting crude oil to the Main Oil Line. The plant’s capacity will be ramped up over the coming months. Spanning an area of 1.68km2, YKP is the second largest, and most technically complex project in PDO’s history – with COVID-19 adding another layer of complexity over the past two years of construction and commissioning activities.

YKP is of a high strategic value towards meeting Oman’s growing medium and long- term oil and gas demands, as well as reducing PDO’s net non-associated gas import. The mega project will be delivering – when fully operational – five million cubic metres of gas per day and around 20,000 bpd of crude.

PDO Managing Director Steve Phimister said: “The YKP coming on stream is a source of great pride for PDO. Despite the challenging environment and scale of this project, the project team were able to stay the course and deliver the project with an amazing HSE record, exceeding 46 million Lost Time Injury-free manhours. Both Company and contractor staff have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to overcome many hurdles to reach this stage of the project.” Around 1,200 Omanis have been employed on site in the construction of the facilities, with a further 200 nationals deployed as fully qualified welders. Around $400 million were also awarded to Omani companies for the provision of goods and services.