Oman's crude oil production rose three per cent in the first seven months of this year compared to the same period a year ago, the Sultanate's finance ministry data showed.

Oman produced 164.28 million barrels of crude in the period from January 1 to July 31, with average daily production rising to 878,100 barrels per day (bpd) from 858,800 bpd in the same period of 2010.

The average Omani crude sales price during the first seven months of the year rose 29pc from $77.52/bbl in the January to July period of 2010 to $100.01/bbl in 2011, the government said.

The sultanate's exports fell to 153.62m barrels, down 0.5pc from the 154.45m barrels exported in the year ago period.

Sharp falls in sales volumes to Japan, Thailand, Taiwan and Singapore were nearly cancelled out by much higher sales to India, South Korea and China.-Reuters