As Oman looks to grow its oil and gas industry, global oil and gas recruitment firm Petroplan is expanding its presence in the Sultanate, working with international operators and service companies to help fill specialist roles whilst working within Oman’s strict workforce nationalisation rules.

There is an urgent need for qualified oil and gas personnel in Oman, which has sprung from two sources. A number of major upstream and downstream projects are under construction, including the Khazzan tight gas field and Duqm refinery. Alongside this, international companies long-established in Oman are looking to expand their operations.

Despite stringent rules on the proportion of local workers required on projects (the ratio is officially nine Omanis to every expatriate), it is not always possible to fill roles from the local workforce. Specialist recruiters such as Petroplan can bring their expertise and extensive candidate networks to bear in this instance, identifying and mobilising the talent required to execute projects, and helping with associated documentation requirements (for example, securing visas).

Given the effect of the oil price downturn on other oil-producing regions (particularly Canada and the North Sea), the supply of suitable candidates is good at the moment. Candidates are also attracted by low living costs, low security risk and good quality of life offered in Oman. This supply is likely to tighten if and when oil prices move upwards again.

Petroplan recently completed its corporate registration in Oman, giving it a licence to operate in the country, and has opened an office in Muscat. It is currently expanding its Oman team to meet customer demand, with the in-country team able to draw upon the support of existing Petroplan offices in London, Houston, Calgary, Dubai and South Africa

Jon France, Regional Manager – EMENA at Petroplan, commented: “It is vital in markets such as Oman that the oil and gas industry recruits as many nationals as possible. However, there will always be some disciplines with skills gaps that require international support.

Oman is one of the regional bright spots for the oil and gas industry, with some major projects underway, and I am delighted that Petroplan is growing there and working with operators and service companies to help square the talent circle”.

Source: www.petroplan.com