Energy Policy & Regulation

BP has appointed Najla Al-Jamali as the first female president of its operations in Oman, marking a historic milestone for the century-old company. Najla, an Omani national, will take up her new role on September 1. Before this appointment, she served as CEO of OQ Alternative Energy, a subsidiary of the state-run integrated energy firm OQ. Her leadership role makes her the only woman in a similar top position within Oman’s energy sector, a field where gender gaps in senior roles remain significant.

Oman continues to face challenges in closing the gender gap in leadership across both public and private sectors. While women make up 42 percent of the workforce in civil ministries, only three women hold cabinet minister positions. In the private sector, female representation falls to 32 percent, with senior roles overwhelmingly held by men. Najla Al-Jamali’s appointment is a significant step forward in changing this dynamic within a traditionally male-dominated industry.

BP operates Oman’s Block 61 in Khazzan and Ghazeer, holding a 40 percent majority share in the venture. The remaining shares are held by state-run OQBI at 30 percent and local private companies for the rest. Block 61 is a crucial asset, producing around 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas daily along with nearly 55,000 barrels a day of associated condensate, according to BP’s website.

The block contains an estimated 10.5 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas resources and has the capacity to meet approximately 35 percent of Oman’s total gas demand. BP’s involvement in Oman dates back to 1925 when it signed its first exploration agreement, underscoring a long-standing partnership that continues to evolve, including investments in renewable projects and expanding energy infrastructure in the country.