Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is the major exploration and production company in the Sultanate. It accounts for about 90% of the country’s crude-oil production and nearly all of its natural gas supply. The Company is owned by the Government of Oman (which has a 60% interest), the Royal Dutch Shell (which has a 34% interest), Total (which has a 4% interest), and Partex (which has a 2% interest). The first economic find of oil was made in 1962, and the first consignment of oil was exported in 1967.

PDO operates in a vast concession area of nearly 100,971 square kilometers and is constantly looking for appropriate ways to contribute to the general wellbeing of communities by offering direct and indirect employment, spending money for local products and services and making voluntary investments in social programmes. For over 30 years, it has supported local communities within its concession area by providing infrastructure: water, health care, housing, roads and electricity. And in June 1998 the Company launched a programme, known as the Local Community Contractor (LCC) programme, to encourage the establishment of companies within PDO's concession area.
 

These companies, which are owned by citizens living within the concession area, can thereby directly benefit from the business opportunities presented by the oil and gas industry. In addition, PDO has also established programmes such as the Vocational Technical Training Programme (VTTP) and the Omani Technician Training Programme (OTTP) through which Omani trainees can gain a wide range of vocational skills that they can then apply in jobs for companies other than PDO.

Because of the inherent nature of the oil and gas industry, PDO pays special attention to occupational health and continuously endeavors to protect the wellbeing of its employees, contractors and others either working in the Company or living in areas of its operation. The Company carries out regular Health Risk Assessments in order to identify potential hazards, assess them, and specify appropriate control measures. It provides Medical Services to company staff and contractors, and regularly runs occupational health road shows and periodic health surveillances.

Over the last 38 years, the Company’s extensive experience has meant that it is now in a unique position to share its learning with other industries locally and worldwide. In hosting the first Occupational Health Conference in Oman, PDO offers an ideal platform regional companies to share their knowledge and experience in the field of occupational health with the objective of devising better strategies and plans for the future of health in their industries.