Oman’s OQ8 Celebrates Inauguration Anniversary

Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Company (OQ8) has marked the first anniversary of its historic inauguration with OQ8 Day, celebrating a year of remarkable achievements and industry leadership. Since taking over operations, OQ8 has demonstrated exceptional resilience and operational excellence, expanding its refining capacity from 230,000 to 255,000 barrels per day, achieving 110% nameplate capacity.

This milestone underscores OQ8’s commitment to driving growth, sustainability, and operational efficiency in the energy sector.

In a press statement, David Bird, CEO of OQ8, said, “Since taking control from the project, OQ8 has demonstrated resilience, strategic foresight, and operational excellence. Our growth reflects the dedication of our team, the strength of our partnerships, and the unwavering support of our shareholders, OQ and KPI, as well as our suppliers and offtakers, OQT and KPCT. This milestone could not have been achieved without their ongoing commitment. As we celebrate this success, we remain focused on driving innovation, sustainability, and long-term value for Oman, Kuwait, and the broader global energy landscape.”

A key highlight of OQ8’s journey has been the successful completion of the Lender Reliability Test (LRT) just 10 months after mechanical completion, reinforcing the refinery’s technical prowess, business readiness and operational reliability. Furthermore, OQ8 stands as the first merchant refinery in the Middle East, showcasing its expertise in sourcing and processing diverse crude and feedstock types, and demonstrating its flexibility and commercial strength in a dynamic global market.

OQ8 has also made significant strides in workforce development, achieving a 68% Omanisation rate, up from 60% at the time of operational launch. This milestone reflects OQ8’s dedication to nurturing national talent and supporting Oman’s broader workforce development goals.

OQ8’s achievements extend beyond operational success and is positioning itself as a reliable partner and a catalyst for economic growth in the region. Since assuming full operational control, OQ8 has maintained safe, reliable, and efficient performance, contributing to regional energy security and reinforcing Oman’s role as a global energy hub.

OQ8’s future outlook remains focused on sustainable growth, technological innovation, and enhancing its commercial resilience in a dynamic and increasing volatile market. Strategic partnerships and continued investment in sustainability and digital transformation will drive OQ8’s growth, positioning it as a benchmark for operational excellence and environmental responsibility in the energy sector.