Six key executives driving the development of the sultanate’s petrochemicals industry: Joe Barenberg, Nasser bin Khamis al-Jashmi, Musab al-Mahruqi, Yousuf Mohamed al-Ojaili, Khadem al-Qubaisi and Ahmed Salim al-Wahaibi
Joe Barenberg
Position Chief operating officer, Octal Petrochemicals
Biography Barenberg joined Omani polyethylene terephthalate producer Octal Petrochemicals in 2006 and is based at its Muscat headquarters. He is responsible for the production of 300,000 tonnes a year of PET resin and PET sheets at Octal’s main manufacturing facility in Salalah. As well as overseeing production of rigid plastic container products, Barenberg plays a key role in maintaining relationships with customers. Most business is conducted through Octal’s global sales office in Dallas in the US. Barenberg began his career as a project manager with architecture and engineering consultant Black & Veatch, before joining International Paper, both US-based firms. Barenberg is an engineering graduate of the US’ Kansas State University and has a master’s of business administration from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College, also in the US.
Contact Tel: (+968) 2 321 7500
Nasser bin Khamis al-Jashmi
Position Chairman, Oman Oil Company (OOC)
Biography Nasser al-Jashmi started his career in Oman’s public sector in 1989, when he joined the Finance Ministry as a financial researcher. After a spell working for the office of the deputy prime minister for financial and economic affairs, he was promoted to director general of budget and contracts in 1997. Six years later, he became undersecretary for Oman’s Oil & Gas Ministry. The OOC has implemented several petrochemical schemes and is a partner in the planned Duqm petrochemicals complex and the Sohar PTA (purified terephthalic acid) complex. Al-Jashmi is a board member of several other state-owned and private companies, including Oman Gas Company and Petroleum Development Oman. He has a master’s in applied economics and a diploma in development management from the American University in Washington DC, as well as a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Jordan University.
Contact Tel: (+968) 2 457 3100
Musab al-Mahruqi
Position Chief executive officer, Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic)
Biography Al-Mahruqi joined Oman Oil Company, which is a major shareholder in Orpic, in 2003 and has worked in several positions, including deputy chief financial officer and project finance manager. Al-Mahruqi was responsible for orchestrating the merger between Oman Refineries and Petrochemicals Company, Aromatics Oman and Oman Polypropylene to form Orpic in April 2010. Prior to joining OOC, he worked for the US oil field services giant Schlumberger. Employed as a field engineer, he was involved with various projects in locations as diverse as the Caspian Sea and West Africa, as well as the Middle East. Al-Mahruqi studied in the UK and has a master’s degree in business administration from Edinburgh Management School, along with a degree in chemical engineering from Nottingham University.
Contact Tel: (+968) 2 685 1000
Yousuf Mohamed al-Ojaili
Position Chief executive officer, Oman Gas Company (OGC)
Biography Al-Ojaili became chief executive officer of OGC in 2005 and plays a vital role in providing the essential gas feedstock for Oman’s petrochemical industry. It is no secret that Oman lacks gas, so OGC’s remit is crucial to ensuring that the sultanate’s industrial diversification plans are kept on track and gas supplies for large-scale industrial use are made available. Al-Ojaili was chosen for the role due to his experience in gas strategic planning, processing and project management. In 1987-2005, he was employed by Petroleum Development Oman and worked on several upstream gas developments. He also completed a four-year assignment with Brunei Shell Petroleum. Al-Ojaili has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tulsa in the US, as well as a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Oman’s Sultan Qaboos University.
Contact Tel: (+968) 2 468 1681
Khadem al-Qubaisi
Position Managing director, International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC)
Biography As managing director of Abu Dhabi-based IPIC, Khadem al-Qubaisi is in charge of several high-profile hydrocarbons projects across the Middle East, including the Duqm Petrochemical complex currently at the study stage in Oman. A UAE national, Al-Qubaisi graduated with a degree in economics from the UAE University in the early 1990s. He joined the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority in 1993, where he rose through the ranks to become senior financial analyst of the North American equities department. He moved to IPIC to take up an investment manager role in 2000 and was appointed managing director in 2007. Al-Qubaisi’s chairmanships include the local Aabar Investments, Switzerland-based Falcon Private Bank and UAE/Austria’s Borealis. He is a board member of several Abu Dhabi companies, including the Emirates Investment Authority and First Gulf Bank.
Contact Tel: (+971) 2 633 6555
Ahmed Salim al-Wahaibi
Position Chief executive officer, OOC; chairman and managing director, Oman India Fertiliser Company (Omifco)
Biography As the chairman of Omifco, a joint venture between OOC and two Indian co-operatives, Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited and Krishak Bharati Cooperative, Al-Wahaibi oversees the production of ammonia and urea, which are produced at a complex at the Sur Industrial Estate, 175 kilometres south of Muscat. Al-Wahaibi joined OOC in 1997 and prior to being made chief executive officer in 2004 served in a number of roles, including deputy chief executive officer from 2000 onwards. He is also a board member of Oman’s Sohar Aluminium and vice-chairman of Orpic. Al-Wahaibi has a master’s degree in development management from the American University in Washington DC, as well as a degree in electrical technology from the US’ Washington University.
Contact Tel: (+968) 2 457 3100 (OOC)
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