
Oman's OQGN awards EPC contract for $273mln Fahud - Suhar Loop Line project
OQ Gas Networks (OQGN), Oman's sole gas transmission operator and owner, announced on Wednesday that it has awarded Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for the new 42 inch, 193-kilometre (km) loop line from Fahud to Suhar to Egypt-headquartered Petrojet.
The agreement for the Fahud - Suhar Loop Line project was signed on 17 June 2025, the MSX-listed company said in a stock exchange statement.
The statement said OQGN also awarded the supply of 193-km of line pipes to Jindal SAW.
The project, which is estimated to cost 105 million Omani riyals ($273 million), is scheduled to be completed in 24 months, the statement noted.
According to the statement, the project cost will be included in the Company's Regulated Asset Base (RAB), and, like the rest of the RAB, the return on this investment will be determined based on the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC). The currently approved WACC in Price Control 3 is 7.79 percent and will remain in effect until 2027.
In November 2024, Zawya Projects had reported that OQGN secured approval from relevant authorities for the execution of a second loop line from Fahud to Sohar.
(Reporting by Deva Palanisamy; Editing by Anoop Menon)
(anoop.menon@lseg.com)

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Al Etihad
2 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Etihad Rail delegation explores rail cooperation with Kuwait
29 June 2025 21:24 KUWAIT (WAM)A delegation from Etihad Rail, led by the CEO Shadi Malak, met with Dr. Noura Mohammed Khaled Al-Mishaan, Minister of Public Works of the State of Kuwait, to discuss strengthening joint cooperation and exchanging expertise in railway infrastructure among GCC the meeting, Minister Dr. Al-Mishaan highlighted Kuwait's commitment to learning from leading railway development experiences, particularly the successful UAE-Oman partnership in establishing Hafeet Rail, describing it as a model of Gulf integration in transport and infrastructure emphasised that collaboration in this vital sector reflects Kuwait's support for advancing Gulf integration and strengthening economic and geographic connectivity among GCC states. She also stressed the importance of ongoing coordination between technical teams to implement high-quality projects that meet the region's development Al Rashidi, Under-Secretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Public Works, underscored the ministry's priority in leveraging successful regional experiences, noting that early collaboration in planning and execution stages is key to building a sustainable rail network that supports regional integration and shared development meeting included a technical presentation outlining Kuwait's future railway project plans. Minister Dr. Al-Mishaan presented the ministry's vision to establish a sustainable national railway network grounded in regional and international best practices. The vision takes into account both environmental and economic factors, aligning with Kuwait's broader sustainable development objectives.


Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Business travel in Mena reaches $18 billion in H1 2025
The business travel sector in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) is growing faster than the global average. The market reached $18.1 billion in 2024, while forecasts indicate a 6.1 per cent year-on-year growth into 2025, a study showed. According to research by Tumodo, the UAE-based online business travel platform, the volume of bookings in the region grew by 40 per cent compared to late 2024. The broader Mena market is expected to hit $270.8 billion by 2030, propelled by strong infrastructure development and digital innovation. This indicates a higher demand for technologically advanced travel services and expanding business activity within the region. Notably, April and May were the busiest months in the first half of the year – largely due to the return of business travel after Ramadan. Saudi Arabia was the most travelled destination in the Mena region, accounting for 20 per cent of all travel, followed by the United Kingdom (15 per cent), France and India (10 per cent each). Finally, trips to Oman amounted to 5 per cent of all travel. These numbers are consistent with global trends reflecting stronger economic ties between Mena countries and European and Asian markets. Favourite airlines In terms of airline preferences, regional players came at the top of the charts. Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways were the most frequently chosen by business travellers. Tumodo also pointed out that, on average, India remains the most affordable route, while the United Kingdom is the most premium destination – both in terms of airfares and accommodation. Dubai remains a major hub in the region, with frequent flights to business capitals like Riyadh, London, and Guangzhou. Tumodo has also seen an increase in usage of additional services throughout 2024 and the start of 2025. Specifically, visa support rose by 15 per cent, ground transfers by 11 per cent, and corporate event bookings by 7.25 per cent – all of which signal a growing demand for full-service travel management. In H1 2025, the average trip duration remained at just two days, yet many travellers began incorporating leisure elements into their itineraries, reflecting the ongoing rise of 'bleisure' travel. Demand for premium accommodation remained strong, with four- and five-star hotels accounting for over 75 per cent of bookings. At the same time, Tumodo 's clients reported a 12 per cent decrease in average airfare costs and only a modest 2 per cent increase in booking value as opposed to an average 10 per cent growth across different platforms. This was possible thanks to advanced platform features such as customisable travel policies, approval workflows, and real-time analytics. Additionally, integrated tools for CO2 emissions tracking and eco-friendly route selection are helping businesses align with the UAE's Environment Vision 2030. 'The 50 per cent year-on-year growth we've seen this year signals a shift from recovery to reinvention,' Stan Klyuy, CCO of Tumodo, stated. 'We're focused on growing throughout the GCC and Europe in the future, as well as improving the platform with more intricate integrations and predictive capabilities'. As global business travel rebounds, industry forecasts project corporate travel spending will surpass $1 trillion in 2025, with the Middle East seeing one of the highest growth rates globally at 6.19 per cent.


Zawya
8 hours ago
- Zawya
Sohar International launches Oman's first open banking platform, ushering a new era of financial innovation
Muscat – In a landmark move underscoring its commitment to driving digital innovation and financial inclusion, Sohar International has announced the official launch of its Open Banking platform—making it the first bank in the Sultanate to introduce a fully integrated Open Banking solution. This strategic advancement enhances the bank's digital ecosystem and reflects its role as a catalyst for technology-driven progress within Oman's financial sector. Open Banking gives businesses greater visibility and control over their financial information, helping them manage cash flow, plan more accurately, and make informed decisions. The platform also enables faster, more efficient financial transactions, reducing complexity and improving daily business operations. 'This launch reflects our strong alignment with the Central Bank of Oman's forward-looking regulatory framework,' said Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi, Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International. 'Through Open Banking, we are not only meeting compliance requirements but also enabling the development of industry-specific financial and non-financial services. These capabilities empower businesses to streamline their operations, drive innovation, and contribute meaningfully to national priorities such as financial inclusion, private sector growth, and digital advancement under Oman Vision 2040.' By providing secure and compliant access to banking services through open APIs, Sohar International's Open Banking platform allows fintech companies, corporates, and government entities to build tailored financial solutions with greater agility. The platform aims to lower integration costs, shorten time-to-market, and allow for more customer-centric services to emerge. 'At Sohar International, we continue to reinforce our position as a digital leader by accelerating innovation and delivering solutions at speed,' said Sajeel Bashiruddin, Chief Technology and Digital Officer. 'Our commitment to leveraging advanced digital capabilities enables us to respond swiftly to market needs, foster meaningful partnerships, and shape a future-ready financial ecosystem for the Sultanate .' The launch reflects Sohar International's long-term vision to serve as a strategic partner in Oman's journey toward a more digital, knowledge-based economy. As the financial sector evolves, the bank remains focused on creating value for businesses, customers, and the broader economy through innovation, collaboration, and technology-driven solutions. About Sohar International Sohar International is Oman's fastest-growing bank, guided by a clear vision to become a world-leading Omani service company that helps customers, communities, and people prosper and grow. With a purpose to help people 'win' by delivering responsive banking for their ever-changing world, the bank offers innovative solutions across Commercial and Investment Banking, Wealth Management, Islamic Banking, and more. Operating with a strong digital-first approach and an expanding regional footprint—including presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—Sohar International is committed to driving value through strategic partnerships and a dynamic customer experience. Learn more at