MUSCAT — The Sultanate’s total exports of crude oil stood at 158.313 million barrels during the first eight months of 2009, against 143.528 million barrels during the corresponding period of 2008, constituting a 10.1 per cent rise.

The monthly statistical bulletin published by the Ministry of National economy showed that the Sultanate’s total production of crude oil and condensates stood at 194.970 million barrels by the end of August 2009, against 182.498 million barrels during the corresponding period of 2008, constituting a 6.8 per cent rise. The bulletin showed that the average price of Oman oil per barrel fell by 49.9 per cent during the first eight months of 2009 to $50.18 per barrel, against $100.22 per barrel during the corresponding period of 2008.

China topped the countries importing Omani oil as it imported 52.16 million barrels during the first eight months of 2009, against 69.81 million barrels during the corresponding period of 2008, constituting a 25.3 per cent, decline.

Thailand came second, as it imported 22.3982 million barrels by the end of August 2009, against 18.18 million barrels during the same period of 2008, constituting a 23.2 per cent rise. Japan came third as it imported 20.29 million barrels, against 20.79 million barrels during the corresponding period of 2008, constituting a 2.4 per cent, decline. The sultanate’s production of natural gas rose slightly by 0.6 per cent to 717.769 million cubic feet (mcf) during the first eight months of 2009, against 713.420 (mcf) during the corresponding period of 2008.

Gas consumption rose by 0.6 per cent to 716.876 mcf by the end of August 2009 against 712.423 mcf during the same period of 2008.

CD tender

Certificates of deposit (issue No. 642) tender was held at the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) this week.The total amount allotted was RO561.5 million. CBO said the average accepted interest rate of these certificates was 0.05 per cent.