Muscat – Oman Tank Terminal Company (OTTCO), a member of OQ Group, has launched the tendering process for a major expansion of its Ras Markaz Crude Oil Park Project in Duqm, paving the way for a significant increase in the sultanate’s strategic crude oil storage capacity.

The company has invited local and international contractors to participate in a prequalification process for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build eight new crude oil storage tanks at the Ras Markaz Oil Storage Terminal in Duqm.

According to the expression of interest (EOI) issued by OTTCO, the expansion project will add approximately 5.2mn barrels of crude oil storage capacity through the construction of eight tanks, each with a nominal capacity of around 0.65mn barrels.

Once completed, the project will further strengthen Ras Markaz’s position as one of the region’s leading strategic crude oil storage hubs.

According to OTTCO, the prequalification process is intended to identify and shortlist technically qualified EPC contractors with the necessary project experience, financial strength, organisational capability, and health, safety and environmental (HSE) performance required to execute the project.

OTTCO said the prequalification exercise is open to both Omani and international companies with proven expertise in delivering large-scale oil storage infrastructure projects. Interested companies have until August 4, 2026, to submit their expressions of interest.

The expansion marks the next phase in the development of the Ras Markaz Oil Storage Terminal, located near the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD). The terminal is designed to provide large-scale crude oil storage services for Omani producers, as well as international oil companies and traders, offering greater flexibility in crude exports while enhancing regional energy security.

The Ras Markaz Oil Storage Terminal offers both long- and short-term strategic crude oil storage in a safe and secure location south of the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. The terminal benefits from Oman’s strategic geographical location and Ras Markaz’s position on the Indian Ocean coastline, around 1,000km from the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping chokepoint. This location enables uninterrupted access to international shipping routes while reducing exposure to potential disruptions in one of the world’s busiest energy corridors.

Ras Markaz also provides efficient access to markets in South-East Asia and Africa, while offering both land and sea connectivity to crude oil producers across the Middle East.

The additional storage capacity is expected to strengthen Oman’s integrated energy infrastructure and complement the rapid industrial development under way in Duqm, where investments are accelerating across refining, petrochemicals, green hydrogen, logistics and heavy industry.