Oman has revealed that the Khazzan Tight Gas Project is running on schedule and will commence natural gas production by the fourth quarter of 2017, Atheer reported.

The Ministry of Oil and Gas’ Undersecretary, Salim Al Aufi, said: “All wells are being drilled. Hopefully by June, we will start commissioning of the plant and in August, one of the gas processing trains will start operation and the second one will follow suit.”

Although the plan is to drill 50 wells initially to start commercial production, more than 300 wells will eventually be drilled over the lifetime of the project.

Located on a previously undeveloped desert site 350km south of Muscat, work on the Khazzan tight gas project began in 2014 and the completed development will eventually contribute roughly a third of Oman’s natural gas supply, Times of Oman informed.

Additionally, BP has plans in place with extensions for contributing 1.5bcf/d of gas to the Omani economy. BP Oman has a 60% interest in the Khazzan project, while the remaining 40% is held by Oman Oil Company Exploration & Production.