The factory has been designed to meet demand in Oman but also to export to neighbouring countries.

It will lead to In-Country Value (ICV) opportunities through the employment of Omanis the transfer of technology and production of vital equipment in the sultanate stated a press release. LiN Scan Oman is a joint venture between UAE-based LiN Scan International and local community contractor Shaher United Trading and Contracting Company a 100 per cent Omani firm which offers a range of services including electrical engineering plumbing and excavation.

LiN Scan International has been serving the oil and gas industry worldwide providing in-line inspection and integrity support services for more than a decade. The opening of the factory in Sohar Industrial Estate will enable the manufacture of tools accessories and pipeline intelligent inspection spare parts for the first time in Oman. A number of PDO representatives attended the official inauguration of the plant including Mohammed al Ghareebi ICV development manager and Khalfan al Busaidy ICV operations manager.

Abdul Amir al Ajmi PDO's external affairs and value creation director said 'This is a great ICV manufacturing milestone in Oman. PDO and other operators both at home and abroad can now procure vital equipment cleaning maintenance and inspection tools from a local manufacturer working to international standards and specifications. Additionally this manufacture will create work opportunities for Omanis.

Ajmi added 'PDO has worked hand in hand with LiN Scan Oman guiding and supporting them to set it up. 'I'd like to thank all those involved for their sterling work to deliver ICV across PDO so that more of the wealth of our industry is retained in the sultanate. Having a reliable and professional local supply chain makes good business sense especially in the current challenging low oil price environment.'

Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed al Bathari director of LiN Scan Oman said 'We have committed to ICV and delivered on it. We also believe that the Ministry of Oil and Gas and the oil and gas sector are seriously committed to ICV.

'With close collaboration we can indeed achieve the ICV strategic goals in terms of job creation and bringing capability and technology in-country. 'We would like to express our leading role' Bathari added.