State-run Oman Oil Company (OOC) and Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI) are expected to sign a partnership to develop Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Company (DRPIC) on Monday (April 10), a report said.

The project at Duqm Special Economic Zone will transform the Zone into one of the key industrial and economic hubs in Oman, reported Oman Observer.

Essam bin Saud al Zadjali, CEO of Oman Oil Company, said that the works related to levelling the site of the refinery, which stretches over, 900 hectares, has been completed.

The refinery, which will produce 230,000 barrels per day, is expected to start operation in 2020.

The final investment decision for the project will be during the third quarter this year, said Al Zadjali according to the report which cited Oman News Agency.