About

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is a hugely important company, both for Oman and the wider Middle East’s oil production. Accounting for around 70% of Oman’s oil production and the vast majority of its gas extraction, the company is majority owned by the government of Oman, but Shell Group, Total and Partex also own interests in the company. Leading the legal department is Evert Jan Versteeg, who has risen through the ranks both at PDO and at stakeholder Shell, an indication of the cooperation between these elements of the overall concern. Recent work that the legal department was involved in includes the May 2016 agreement between PDO and Nama Group to coordinate their respective power grids via new power transmission systems. Also, PDO has signed a memorandum of understanding with Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW) to cooperate and coordinate their efforts more closely. Providing the necessary framework to conclude these deals and agreements, PDO’s legal function helps to ensure that successful Omani oil production efforts are secured for the foreseeable future.