ARA Petroleum

What ARA Petroleum does

ARA Petroleum LLC is a private, Oman-based full-cycle Exploration & Production (E&P) independent and the energy arm of The Zubair Corporation, a diversified Omani conglomerate. Founded on 1 July 2014 as Qarat Al Milh Petroleum and rebranded to ARA Petroleum Exploration and Production in October 2022, the company operates undeveloped or under-developed hydrocarbon assets with proven reserves and pursues exploration, appraisal, development and production across operated blocks in Oman (Block 44, wholly owned; Block 31) and Tanzania (Ruvuma Concession via subsidiary ARA Petroleum Tanzania / APT, 50% interest and operator). Reported operating output averaged ~18,000 BOE/day as of 2025, cumulative production crossed 10 million barrels in November 2022, and the company has set a public target of 100,000 BOE/day by 2030.

The portfolio is anchored on three core asset systems: the wholly owned Block 44 (gas and condensate, with the Qalah-to-Burhan pipeline and ~7 million man-hours without lost-time incidents as of August 2023), Block 31 (oil and gas, including the Aflak discovery which produced over 400,000 barrels from a single well), and the Ntorya gas field in southern Tanzania, which carries a 25-year Development Licence granted in May 2024, contingent resources of 3.45 tcf and a wider Ruvuma unrisked GIIP of 16.4 tcf. A $50M+ 2026 work programme, a signed Gas Sales Agreement with TPDC and Ndovu Resources, and an EPC pipeline award to China Petroleum Pipeline (construction started July 2025) underwrite first-gas production targeted for 2026.

The technology stack supports a commodity-based revenue model (hydrocarbon sales priced off international benchmarks and gas-sales agreements). Proprietary and acquired tools include the SimQuation digital twin (acquired July 2024 from the INVIDES platform, now a standalone subsidiary serving external customers in Europe, South America, Africa and Asia), HELIOtube solar-thermal produced-water treatment, forward-osmosis desalination with Trevi Systems, IoT continuous GHG monitoring at QAM and BRNN, automatic well allocation software covering 80+ wells, and an HSE mobile application. Commercial activity is anchored in B2B offtake with national petroleum corporations and JV partners; the company is supported by an advisory and operational leadership team including CEO Sultan Al Ghaithi, COO Ola Fjeld, and regional GMs for Oman and Tanzania, with active Omanisation and Tanzanianisation programmes formalised through MoUs with NUST, TPDC and PURA.

Name

ARA Petroleum

Legal name

ARA Petroleum LLC

Website

https://arapetroleum.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ARA Petroleum is a private Oman-based, Zubair Corporation-owned full-cycle oil and gas E&P independent that operates Block 44 and Block 31 in Oman and the Ntorya gas field (50% interest, operator) in Tanzania, producing ~18,000 BOE/day and targeting 100,000 BOE/day by 2030.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ruwi

HQ country

Oman

HQ region

Middle East

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Oil & Gas Production: ARA Petroleum generates revenue through the exploration, appraisal, and development of oil and gas resources in Oman and Tanzania. The company produces and sells hydrocarbons from its operated blocks.
2. Natural Gas Sales: ARA Petroleum Tanzania (APT) signed Gas Sales Agreement for the Ntorya Gas Field with TPDC and Ndovu Resources. Revenue from gas sales expected upon 2026 first gas production.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ARA Petroleum is a full-cycle Exploration & Production independent that operates oil and gas blocks (Block 31, Block 44) in Oman and the Ntorya gas field in Tanzania, producing and selling crude oil, natural gas, and condensate. The company leverages proprietary digital oilfield technologies, including the SimQuation digital twin platform, automated allocation and deferment software, IoT-enabled continuous GHG monitoring sensors, and HELIOtube solar-thermal produced-water treatment, to maximize recovery and minimize environmental impact across its operated assets.

Product overview

ARA Petroleum is a full-cycle Exploration & Production (E&P) independent with operations in Oman and Tanzania. The company operates as a portfolio of business units including ARA Petroleum E&P, ARA Petroleum B-44 (Block 44), ARA Petroleum B-31 (Block 31), and ARA Petroleum Tanzania (APT). The portfolio is unified by shared technology initiatives including the SimQuation digital twin platform (acquired and rebranded from INVIDES), proprietary digital oilfield solutions for real-time well monitoring and optimization, HELIOtube solar-thermal water treatment technology, and a proprietary HSE mobile application. Operations span oil and gas production in Oman's Block 44 and Block 31, and the Ntorya gas field development in Tanzania.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ARA Petroleum E&P Operations (Oman Blocks 31 & 44) Full-cycle Exploration & Production services covering operated Block 31 and Block 44 in Oman, producing crude oil, natural gas, and condensate for sale to government and enterprise offtakers.
• ARA Petroleum Tanzania (APT) — Ntorya Gas Field Development Development and production services for the Ntorya Gas Field in the Ruvuma Basin (Tanzania), operated under a 25-year Development Licence by ARA Petroleum Tanzania Limited (APT), with gas offtake via a signed Gas Sales Agreement with TPDC and Ndovu Resources.
• SimQuation Digital Twin Platform Digital twin / production-chain simulation platform (formerly INVIDES) modeling reservoir-to-refinery hydrocarbon flow for energy operators; commercialized as a standalone technology offering globally.

Quantifiable outcome

• Production optimization reduced deferment volumes from 4% to 1.8%
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• HyTerra LtdsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2026ARA Natural Resources partnered with Australian HyTerra Ltd to evaluate Oman's geologic hydrogen potential around the Semail Ophiolite, with exclusive 18-month timeframe to assess subsurface data and regulatory frameworks.
• China Petroleum Pipeline (CPP)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 8 July 2025CPP awarded EPC contract for construction of pipeline from Ntorya gas field to Madimba Gas Processing Facility. Construction started July 2025 targeting first gas in 2026.
• China Petroleum Technology & Development CorporationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 8 July 2025Joint EPC contractor with China Petroleum Pipeline for Ntorya pipeline construction project.
• Trevi Systems InccoreTechnology or Integration · 22 August 2024ARA Petroleum E&P partnered with Trevi Systems Inc for the Solar Water Treatment Plant at Qarat al Milh. Trevi's Forward Osmosis Technology treats oilfield produced water without high external pressures, using proprietary draw solution.
• Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 August 2024ARA signed MoU to deliver on-the-job training for TPDC personnel covering Technical, Operations, QHSE, and Administrative areas. ARA's subsidiary APT is operator of Ntorya gas field working closely with Tanzanian counterparts.
• Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 August 2024ARA signed MoU to provide comprehensive training for PURA personnel in Tanzania as part of capacity-building efforts for Tanzanian nationals in the Oil & Gas sector.
• SimQuation (INVIDES Platform)coreTechnology or Integration · 8 July 2024ARA Petroleum acquired the world-renowned INVIDES simulation digital twin platform, rebranded as SimQuation. The platform delivers solutions to companies in Europe, South America, Africa & Asia, simulating the entire energy production chain.
• The Green Universe EnterprisesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 August 2023ARA E&P signed MoUs with the Green Universe Enterprise for R&D projects including a water sampling drone and Automated Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) to revolutionize oilfield operations.
• National University of Science and Technology in OmansupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 July 2023ARA Petroleum E&P signed MoU with NUST to enhance cooperation between energy and academic sectors in research and innovation, finding solutions to challenges and implementing joint research projects.
• Heliovis AGcoreTechnology or Integration · 3 November 2022ARA Petroleum partnered with Austrian solar engineering specialist Heliovis to set up the world's first solar-thermally powered, zero emission water desalination plant in Oman at Qarat al Milh. The plant uses HELIOtube technology for produced water treatment with capacity of 140 cubic metres/day.
• Scirocco Energy PLCsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2022APT acquired Scirocco's 25% interest in Ruvuma Concession, becoming 50% interest holder and operator alongside Ndovu Resources.
• Sumitomo CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 May 2021Leading Japanese multinational Sumitomo Corporation teamed up with ARA Petroleum for a feasibility study to develop a unique hybrid hydrogen project combining solar energy, blue H2 from flare gas, and CO2 capture. The project includes a 20 MW solar power plant for ARA's production site.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Maha Energy: Small-cap upstream company with operated assets in Oman (Block 70) and Brazil. Highly comparable scale and Oman operating footprint to ARA Petroleum, both pursuing low-cost redevelopment of mature/undeveloped fields.
• Impact Oil & Gas: Africa-focused exploration company with high-impact acreage offshore South Africa and West Africa. Comparable as a sub-scale independent targeting large undeveloped hydrocarbon resources in frontier-to-emerging markets.
• Panoro Energy: Africa-focused independent E&P with producing assets in Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Tunisia. Closely comparable to ARA as a small-cap independent pursuing operated, undeveloped hydrocarbon assets in emerging-market jurisdictions.
• Orca Exploration Group: Independently operated upstream gas and oil company with producing assets in Tanzania (Songo Songo) and Pan-African exposure. Comparable to ARA in operating an East African gas asset with national-company offtake arrangements.
• Masirah Oil: Oman-focused exploration and production independent operating offshore Block 50. Highly comparable to ARA as a sub-scale, single-country Omani E&P operator targeting undeveloped proven-hydrocarbon assets.
• Challenger Energy Group: Small-cap E&P company with operated exploration and development assets in Uruguay and The Bahamas. Comparable in scale and full-cycle independent E&P profile, though operating in a different geography.
• CC Energy Development (CCED): Oman-focused E&P independent with operated blocks including the producing Block 3. Directly comparable in scale, geography, and operating model to ARA Petroleum's Oman operations.
• Aminex plc: UK-listed Africa-focused E&P with material interest in the Ruvuma/Ntorya concession alongside ARA. Directly comparable as ARA's joint-venture partner and as a small E&P operating in the same Tanzanian gas play.

Broad incumbents

• Tullow Oil: Mid-cap Africa-focused independent with significant production in West Africa and exploration interests in East Africa. Comparable as an upstream operator pursuing African gas and oil resources, though materially larger than ARA.
• OQ Exploration and Production (OQEP): National Omani integrated energy company with dominant upstream portfolio across Oman. Comparable as the dominant Omani upstream operator but materially larger; ARA competes for new blocks and operates in OQEP's home market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qarat-al-milh-petroleum-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ARA Petroleum