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Masirah Oil Limited has commenced drilling operations on the first well of its infill development programme at the offshore Yumna oilfield in Block 50, marking progress in efforts to enhance production and sustain the field's long-term operations.
The company confirmed the start of drilling on October 21, 2026, through an announcement issued by its parent company, Jasmine Energy Limited, on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
Production from the new well is expected to commence in November 2026, following several revisions to the original drilling schedule.
Mike Hopkinson, General Manager of Masirah Oil, confirmed the anticipated production timeline. However, the company has not disclosed the investment value, projected output from the new well or a revised completion schedule for the wider drilling programme.
The drilling programme was initially scheduled to begin in March 2026 after Rex Oman Ltd, the parent holding company of Masirah Oil, secured a contract for the Energy Emerger jack-up drilling rig in January.
Operated by Northern Offshore Drilling Operations Ltd, the rig was contracted to undertake drilling activities involving three development wells at the Yumna field.
The programme was subsequently postponed to May before a further announcement in June indicated that the company would provide an updated commencement schedule.
With drilling now underway, Masirah Oil has moved from project planning to field execution, although the reasons behind the earlier delays have not been publicly disclosed.
The Yumna oilfield, located in the Gulf of Masirah, commenced production in 2020 and remains an important offshore producing asset within Block 50.
The latest infill drilling campaign is intended to access additional oil resources, improve production performance and extend the field's operational lifespan.
Previously reported production figures indicate a decline in output during the first quarter of 2026.
The figures highlight the importance of additional development wells in maintaining output from the established offshore field. Masirah Oil has not yet provided an estimate of the incremental production expected from the latest drilling activities.
The current campaign follows earlier drilling and production enhancement activities at Yumna, including a multi-well development programme undertaken in 2024.
That campaign included the Yumna-5 well, which commenced production in April 2024.
Masirah Oil operates Block 50 with a 100% participating interest. The company is also an indirect 87.5%-owned subsidiary of Jasmine Energy Limited, which is wholly owned by Singapore-listed Rex International Holding Limited.
The continued development of Yumna reflects the role of targeted offshore drilling investments in maintaining production from established hydrocarbon assets.
The commencement of the drilling campaign represents another step in efforts to optimise Oman's existing oil resources through additional well development.
For mature producing fields, infill drilling can provide opportunities to access previously untapped reservoir sections, improve recovery and support production continuity without requiring the development of entirely new fields.
With first production from the new well targeted for November 2026, the campaign's contribution to Yumna's output will depend on drilling results and subsequent well performance.
The development reinforces the importance of operational efficiency, reservoir management and continued investment in upstream infrastructure as Oman seeks to sustain the productivity of its oil and gas sector.
