Oman’s Oil and Gas Ministry is preparing to award two blocks for oil and gas exploration during September, according to a local news report.

Saleh al-Anboori, director general of management of petroleum investment said that agreements blocks 38 and 66 in the southern Dhofar region, were being finalised, the Times of Oman reported.

The ministry was also expecting to receive bids from international oil companies for four oil blocks in the north and centre of the company by the end of August. At the same time, Oman is also compiling data to tender another seven blocks, including offshore blocks 18, 41 and 59, and onshore blocks 56, 57, 58 and 43A.

In a separate interview, advisor to the Ministry of Oil and Gas Shaikh Ali bin Thabit al-Battashi told the Oman Daily Observer that the Sultanate plans to invest over $100bn in the oil and gas industry over the next ten years.

Oman’s biggest greenfield hydrocarbons project in the pipeline is the Block 61 Khazzan-Makarem tight gas field, which is being developed by UK-based oil major BP.