STATS Group, pioneers in pipeline isolation, hot tapping and plugging services, has opened a new workshop, storage and testing facility in Muscat to strengthen its presence in Oman, according to a press release.

This comes as part of the company’s broader policy of expansion in the Middle East, where the company has trebled its operational capacity in Abu Dhabi.

STATS group had previously agreed on a two year extension of a Master Services Agreement with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) to provide pipeline isolation and hydrostatic testing services.

“The PDO Master Service Agreement is an important contract and we are delighted it has been extended further. The new facility in Oman will help support this contract and having a local presence gives us a platform to extend our footprint in the Sultanate and wider Middle East region,” STATS Group Middle East Director, Angus Bowie, said.

Last year, STATS agreed on a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Safari Oil & Gas, with a view to setting up a permanent base in KSA.