Oman’s oil and gas industry operates across a wide geography: production concessions spread through the desert interior, large gas developments, export terminals and LNG on the coast, and refining and petrochemical complexes in Sohar and Duqm. Much of the upstream work happens at remote sites hours from the nearest town. Add the country’s strong emphasis on Omanisation and in-country value, and workforce planning in Oman has its own character. Workforce support for Oman oil and gas projects must address all of it. Here is what that involves, for contractors and service providers.
Where oil and gas workforce demand comes from in Oman
- Upstream production: oil fields across the interior, with ongoing drilling support, facilities construction and maintenance
- Gas developments: large gas fields and processing plants supplying domestic demand and LNG
- LNG and export terminals: coastal facilities near Sur and elsewhere
- Refining and petrochemicals: complexes in Sohar and the newer Duqm refinery
- Pipelines: gathering and export lines across long distances
Maintenance-focused demand is covered in industrial maintenance and manpower support in Oman.
Omanisation and in-country value
Omanisation requires companies to employ Omani nationals, with targets and restrictions that vary by sector and occupation. Some occupations are reserved for nationals. The oil and gas sector also places strong emphasis on in-country value, encouraging contractors to develop local capability, use local suppliers and train Omani staff. Workforce plans for Omani projects should show how these expectations will be met, typically by combining expatriate specialists with Omani technicians, engineers and trainees.
Remote site workforce considerations
Interior oil and gas sites are often far from towns, which means:
- Rotation schedules and long transfers to site
- Camps with catering, water, power and medical facilities
- Journey management for desert driving
- Emergency response and medical evacuation planning
- Communication and welfare arrangements for long rotations
The wider challenges are discussed in workforce challenges on remote oil and gas projects.
Roles in demand
Construction and maintenance trades such as pipe welders, pipe fitters, mechanical and rotating equipment technicians, electricians and instrument technicians are consistently needed, along with riggers, heavy equipment operators, QA/QC inspectors, HSE officers and commissioning specialists. Experienced supervisors who can lead mixed teams of expatriate and Omani staff are particularly valuable.
Working with operator standards
Major operators in Oman maintain detailed technical, HSE and contractor management requirements, including approval of key personnel and specific safety training for desert driving, hydrogen sulfide areas and permit roles. Contractors should prepare personnel files and training records to those standards before mobilization. The positions typically involved are mapped in technical roles needed for oil and gas projects.
Supervisors who build local teams
On Omani projects, supervisors are often expected to lead mixed teams and develop Omani staff on the job. Selecting supervisors who are willing and able to mentor as well as direct, helps contractors meet localization goals while keeping productivity high.
Labor framework
Work authorization is handled through Oman’s Ministry of Labour, and expatriate workers receive resident cards after arrival. Oman introduced a new labor law in 2023, and employers should check current requirements for contracts, working hours, leave and end-of-service benefits. Rules on occupations open to expatriates change periodically.
Practical planning points
- Long lead times for recruitment and approvals in restricted occupations
- Camp capacity sized for peaks and rotation overlap
- Heat and summer working restrictions affecting outdoor work
- Training and mentoring plans for Omani staff built into the workforce plan
- Operator standards and approval processes for key personnel
Support for Omani oil and gas projects
Apex Core Engineering supports oil and gas projects across the GCC, including Oman, with recruitment, trade-tested manpower, supervision and logistics. Its workforce planning service builds localization and remote logistics into manpower plans, and its training arm, Mansol Technical Training Institute, prepares workers with technical and safety training before deployment.
Frequently asked questions
What is Omanisation?
Oman’s policy to increase employment of Omani nationals, including targets for companies and restrictions on some occupations for expatriates.
What is in-country value in Oman’s oil and gas sector?
An approach that encourages contractors to increase local content through Omani employment, training, local suppliers and local capability.
Why is remote logistics important for Omani oil and gas work?
Many sites are deep in the desert, requiring camps, long transfers, journey management and medical evacuation planning.
Did Oman change its labor law recently?
Yes. Oman introduced a new labor law in 2023, so employers should check current requirements.
Discuss Oman oil and gas workforce needs with Apex Core Engineering.