GNS Science Takes Marine Geology Skills to Oman

GNS Science Takes Marine Geology Skills to Oman

Crown Research Institute GNS Science has taken its marine geology skills to the Arabian Gulf and this week signed an agreement to help Oman extend its UN-recognised offshore territory.

The three-year contract will see GNS Science provide a range of science services to help Oman prepare a submission that could gain UN recognition for more offshore territory beyond its existing Exclusive Economic Zone.

The process requires a detailed science-based submission to be compiled and then presented to the United Nations demonstrating the link between Oman’s landmass and its offshore continental shelf area beyond 200 nautical miles from its coastline.

Oman is at the southeast tip of the Arabian Peninsula and its marine territory lies in the Arabian Sea and the Sea of Oman. It shares maritime borders with Iran, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

The contract was signed this week in Muscat by GNS Science Chief Executive Dr Mike McWilliams and His Excellency Salim Abdulla Al-Alawi Chief, Continental Shelf and Maritime Affairs Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sultanate of Oman.

GNS Science will be involved in all stages of the project including planning marine surveys, processing and analysing marine data, preparing the submission document, and supporting Oman in its discussions with the UN. Scientists from NIWA will also contribute to the project.

Continental shelf projects typically require the compilation of existing bathymetric, geologic, and tectonic data for an offshore region. Where information is lacking, new data must be acquired by marine surveys.

Most of the work for the Oman submission will be done in New Zealand, but GNS Science staff will travel to Oman to collect new data, provide training to Omani nationals, and report on progress. In collaboration with the Omani continental shelf extension technical committee, they will also travel to New York to deliver the final submission to the UN.

The Omani government has described this project as highly significant as it sees it as a cornerstone to prudent management of their offshore resources for decades to come.

As a producer of onshore oil and gas, Oman sees potential to increase its petroleum production by more extensive exploration of its offshore territory. A successful submission to the UN will give it exclusive rights over a large area of seabed in the Arabian Sea beyond its EEZ.

During the project GNS Science will provide training in geology and geophysics to several Omani students.

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