Muscat – His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik visited Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) in Mina Al Fahal on Tuesday morning to review the key developments within the energy sector and inaugurate an integrated operations centre named Bait Al Haitham.

Upon His Majesty the Sultan’s arrival at the PDO headquarters, he was received by Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals; Mohsin bin Hamad Al Hadhrami, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and Chairman of the PDO Board of Directors; and Dr Aflah bin Said Al Hadhrami, PDO Managing Director.

Thereafter, the PDO Managing Director delivered a welcome address on the occasion of the Royal visit. Following this, His Majesty graciously viewed a visual presentation highlighting the principal stages of the company’s evolution and the achievements it has realised in the oil and gas sector, showcasing its efforts to enhance the working environment and elevate performance levels, alongside its future vision and projects anchored in modern technologies.

His Majesty then unveiled a commemorative plaque, heralding the official inauguration of Bait Al Haitham. The centre is the command and control hub of the energy sector in Oman, having been conceived as an advanced digital landmark dedicated to the real-time monitoring of all operational processes within the oil and gas sector under a unified operating system.

It is regarded as one of the sultanate’s most vital projects and a pioneering endeavour on a global scale, established in fulfilment of the wise and enlightened vision of His Majesty the Sultan in the era of the Renewed Renaissance. The centre will directly contribute to the enduring sustainability of the national economy.

His Majesty the Sultan also viewed an exhibition documenting the most significant historical milestones of PDO, its journey of institutional transformation, increased production, future strategic plans, and its initiatives in the realms of sustainability, digital transformation and the cultivation of national competencies.

At the conclusion of the visit, His Majesty the Sultan wrote in the distinguished visitors’ book, expressing his delight on this felicitous occasion and supplicating for the success of all personnel in this sector and the realisation of further accomplishments. Thereafter, a commemorative photograph was taken of His Majesty the Sultan with a number of the company’s employees, in lasting testament to the Royal visit.

Accompanying His Majesty the Sultan during the visit were H H Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs; Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, Minister of Finance; Dr Hamad bin Said Al Aufi, Head of the Private Office; Abdulsalam bin Mohammed Al Murshidi, President of Oman Investment Authority; and Anwar bin Hilal Al Jabri, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion.