A press release stated that the delegation was led by H E Dr Yahya bin Mahfoodh al Mantheri chairman of the State Council and included a majority of the 84 members. H E Salim bin Nasser al Aufi Undersecretary in the Ministry of Oil and Gas was also present.

PDO's team headed by Raoul Restucci its managing director gave an overview of the company's performance on a range of matters including HSE production cost control job creation and training opportunities for Omanis through its pioneering in-country value and lean efficiency programmes.

The delegation also visited the hi-tech Lekhwair and Qarn Alam Collaborative Work Environment centres which featured a live broadcast from the field with staff. They also toured a small exhibition featuring some of PDO's award-winning projects and challenges including Harweel which is one of the world's biggest miscible sour gas injection projects; Miraah one of the largest solar energy ventures globally and the Nimr reed beds a pioneering energy-efficient wetland scheme to treat produced water from oil production.

There was a focus on how PDO has responded to the present low oil price environment and explanatory displays of oil samples fossils rocks equipment and goods made by women as part of the company's Banat Oman vocational training programme.

The delegation was also shown a film giving an overview of PDO and outlining its national objective programme which has generated more than 20000 employment training and re-deployment opportunities for Omanis since 2011. H E Dr Mantheri praised PDO's efforts on the economy new technology and in providing training and employment opportunities by saying 'As PDO is proud to serve Oman we are also proud of PDO.'

Restucci said 'We are honoured to have welcomed the first-ever delegation from the State Council. We communicated some of our notable achievements and strategic priorities such as our determination to support Omani businesses and job seekers and also how we are adapting to the current tough economic challenges through greater efficiency and value creation. 'We would like to thank our distinguished guests for their support and recognition of the great work our staff and contractors are doing every day to support Oman.

'Such visits can only encourage our employees to even greater heights to support the country's development under the visionary leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.'