Petroleum Development Oman is the foremost exploration and production company in the Sultanate. It accounts for more than 70% 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), 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 finds oil fields and develops them into productive assets by drilling wells and constructing and operating various hydrocarbon treatment and transport facilities. The crude oil that is produced from the fields is not sold by the Company but rather delivered to a storage facility at Mina al Fahal, where it is loaded onto sea-going tankers at the discretion of the Company's shareholders.

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PDO also finds, develops and operates natural-gas fields and their associated production systems—all on behalf of the Government of Oman. The Company delivers gas to the Government Gas System, which supplies fuel for most of Oman's power stations and some of its industries, and to the Oman Liquefied Natural Gas (OLNG) plant at Qalhat, near Sur.
As part of its gas-production operations, PDO also supplies some 50,000 barrels per day of condensate (liquid hydrocarbons that condense out of natural gas) and about 200 tonnes per day of liquefied petroleum gas, which is chiefly used for cooking.

In addition, PDO plays a key role in educating and developing young Omani talent through its comprehensive education and training programmes. It also supports and encourages local businesses and communities through its Business Development Centre. PDO believes that the sustainable development of the country is furthered through its education and training initiatives and through its efforts to stimulate successful Omani businesses throughout the country.