Oman's total exports of crude oil reached 129,597,300 barrels in the first half of this year, compared to 130,942,300 barrels during the corresponding period in 2004, constituting a drop of 1%.
The statistical bulletin issued by the National Economy Ministry showed that the Sultanate's total production of crude oil and condensers as on June end, stood at 140,129,300 barrels against 142,557,000 barrels during the first half of last year, 2004, constituting a drop of 1.7%.
The bulletin stated that the average daily production during the first six months of this year was 774,200 barrels, against 783,300 barrels produced on daily average during the corresponding period in the previous year, constituting a 1.2% drop.
The bulletin reported that the average price of Oman oil rose by 43.1% by the end of June 2005 to US$ 49.97 per barrel, compared to US$ 32.13during the corresponding period in last year.
China topped the countries importing Omani oil as it imported 44,017,800 barrels during the first six months of the year, against 54,109,100 barrels, constituting a drop of 18.6%. Thailand came in the second position on the list of countries importing Omani oil. The quantity imported by Thailand reached 26,428,900 barrels by the end of the first half of the current year, with a 25.4% increase as compared to the imported quantities during the corresponding period in the previous year which amounted to 21,077,400 barrels. Japan followed despite the reduction in its imports of Omani oil by 1.8% reaching 21,178,700 barrels as compared to its imports in the corresponding period in the previous year which amounted to 21,560,300 barrels.
The Sultanate's production of natural gas decreased during the first five months of this year by 1.3% to reach 312.816 billion cubic feet, compared to 316.928 billion cubic feet produced during the corresponding period of the previous year.
According to ONA, gas consumption has dropped by 1.3% by the end of May 2005 to 312.816 billion cubic feet, against 316.928 billion cubic feet during the corresponding period in the previous year.
