The construction in Duqm refinery is now 25 per cent complete, said a top official, adding that 7,500 people are working on the project.

“By next year, the number will rise to 25,000 people working on the construction,” Ahmed bin Khalfan Al-Abri, a process engineer at the refinery, was quoted as saying by Times of Oman.

The project is expected to cost about $6 billion. “When this is completed in 2022, we aim to have over 850 operations employees with an Omanisation percentage over 70 per cent,” Al Abri said.

According to him, the refinery is currently being completed in three packages, two of which are under active construction.

“The refinery will offer a variety of products including kerosene, naphtha, liquefied petroleum gas, sulphur, diesel and coke,” he added.