Chinese group ZL EOR Chemicals has joined hands with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) to launch the first polymer manufacturing plant in the sultanate at Raysut industrial zone in the Salalah region of Oman.

The 33,000-sq-m facility, a first-of-its-kind in the GCC region, has been built by ZL EOR Chemicals Oman, a part of the international group ZL EOR Chemicals, at an investment of $20 million. The polymers produced at the plant will be used for various applications, chiefly for improving oil production.

The plant, which is equipped with modern control, automation and polymerisation systems, has a  production capacity of 15,000 tonnes per year and plans are already being drawn up to boost this to 70,000 tonnes per annum in stages.

The plant was inaugurated by Sayyid Asa'ad bin Tariq Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs, Personal Representative of His Majesty the Sultan.

Sayyid Faisal bin Turki Al Said, the chairman of the board of directors of ZL EOR Chemicals Oman, said: "We are extremely happy to open the first-ever polymer manufacturing plant in the sultanate."

"ZL EOR Chemicals Oman already contributes to PDO world-class enhanced oil recovery projects by supplying polymer, and now locally manufactured chemicals will be used in these projects. We are looking forward to expand our successful partnership with PDO and other Omani companies," he stated.  
Sayyid Faisal pointed out that the company was also exploring possibilities of exporting products from the plant to other locations in Europe, the GCC region and Canada.

"These are the regions where polymer is used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods to arrest the decline in production in mature fields," he stated.

PDO managing director Raoul Restucci said: "We are determined to support the implementation of the ICV Blueprint Strategy to diversify the economy and ensure more of the wealth of the oil and gas industry is retained in Oman."

“As we continue to invest in EOR technologies to sustain Omani oil production, we are delighted with the opportunity to source polymer locally, which once again shows our commitment to investing in Omani businesses and people," he added.-TradeArabia News Service