Cyber Security Agreement Signed between the OOC and the ITA

A partnership agreement was signed by the Oman Oil Company (OOC) with the Information Technology Authority (ITA) under the auspices of the Arab Regional Cyber security Center of ITU at an event hosted by the OOC.

The agreement enables the OOC and its group of companies to utilize the services of the ITA and its regional center for cyber security.

The partnership provides customized cyber security, including training in information security for the OOC and its own subsidiaries. The training includes internationally recognized standards in risk assessment and detection of weaknesses. The aim is to better protect organizations from attacks, reduce risks, and assess them.

The importance of this agreement is reflected in the statement made by Bader Ali Al Salehi, head of the Arab regional cyber security center and the DG of Oman National CERT at ITA:

“Signing this partnership agreement is part of the initiatives adopted by the center to promote cooperation with the private sector, particularly to enhance cyber security within the critical national infrastructure industry (CNIs). The partnership agreement aims to enable CNIs to benefit from the cyber security services offered by the regional center to enhance cyber security readiness at CNIs, as well as engage Omani companies to contribute to the delivery of cyber security services.”

“The partnership takes place at this critical period where CNIs, especially the oil and gas industry, have always been targeted by cyber security threats regionally and internationally. Thus, the partnership includes specialized cyber security training and awareness programmes, cyber threat and notification services, security assessment services and the opportunity for OCC and its subsidiaries to participate in regional center events,” he further added.

Port of Sohar Home to New Producer of Sulphur-Based Fertilizer

The investment subsidiary of Oman Oil Company, Takamul Investment Company, is joining with CoreSulphur, one of the world’s leading providers of technology, to create a new, major, sulphur bentonite and micronutrient facility near the Port of Sohar in Oman.

New Company Sohar Sulphur Fertilizers

The complex will be owned and operated by these companies along with another Oman-based firm, Awtad Projects and Development. As a group these businesses have created a new company, Sohar Sulphur Fertilizers LLC, which will be the owner and operator of the facility.

The complex will utilize cutting-edge technologies and will be the first of its kind in Oman. The facility will have its home in close proximity to the Sohar Refinery plant which is part of Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries (ORPIC.)

Feedstock Sulphur Readily Available

The officials on the project explained that the source for feedstock sulphur will be the Sohar Refinery, which is close to where the new facility will be built. The refinery can produce approximately 140 tonnes of molten sulphur every day, a major by-product of the process of refining crude oil.

Last year a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Sohar Refinery and Takamul stating that the sulphur produced by the Sohar Refinery will be dedicated to the Sohar Sulphur Fertilizers LLC. As a consequence of this agreement, the sulphur, which right now is being shipped to other regional and international locations, will permit the additional processing of sulphur into a valuable commodity locally.

International Player in Fast-Growing Market

Kent Lambden, managing director of CoreSulphur, commented on its newly formed partnership with Takamul:

“As the foremost expert in sulphur bentonite and sulphur micronutrient fertilizers, CoreSulphur’s formation of Sohar Sulphur Fertilizer positions us as a fast-growing international player in a high-growth market. Our partnerships with leading firms, such as Takamul and Awtad, highlight our expertise and stance within the industry. We’re extremely pleased to expand into Oman to provide unmatched products to areas that need it most.”

Cooperation Agreement Signed in Abu Dhabi with the OOC

OOC and IPIC Sign Agreement

The Oman Oil Company signed an agreement with the International Petroleum Investment Company this week in which the parties will undertake to cooperate on investment projects within the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors.

The agreement was signed by the CEO of the OOC, Ahmed bin Salim al Wahaibi, and a representative of IPIC, Khadim Abdullah al Qubaisi. Present at the ceremony were also Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, Presidential Affairs Minister, and IPIC Chairman; and Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad al Rumhy, Minister of Oil and Gas. IPIC is an investment company which is owned by the UAE.

The Chairman of the OOC and Under Secretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, Nasser bin Khamis al Jashmi said that this deal will enable the parties to create a variety of petrochemical projects and start oil refineries as well as allowing the partners to exchange expert knowledge and technology in a number of different areas.

In addition Khadim Abdullah al Qubaisi said that he was pleased with the agreement with the OOC, stating that, “this agreement will be a starting point for investment projects in various local or global circles. Projects to be implemented by the agreement will aim at availing job opportunities for the nationals in the two states.”

“We are working hard for deepening the relations between the two brotherly countries to characterize the spirit of co-operation and integration between the GCC states. We will exploit the agreement in investment in the projects that have positive economic influences and interests of the two brotherly states,” Al Qubaisi also acknowledged.

Also present at the signing was Oman’s Ambassador to the UAE, Shaikh Mohammed Abdullah al Qatabi.