Sultan Al Habsi has taken on the role of Site Lead HSE Advisor for the Yibal Cluster at Petroleum Development Oman (PDO). He announced his appointment in September 2026, adding a site leadership responsibility to his career in health, safety and environment.
Al Habsi has worked at PDO for more than 17 years, with experience spanning instrumentation, control and automation, commissioning, start-up operations and operational safety. His background includes work across major oil and gas projects in Oman.
Sultan Al Habsi takes on HSE leadership at PDO
In his announcement, Al Habsi said he looked forward to strengthening the company’s health, safety and environment culture through learning and collaboration. He also emphasised collective responsibility, describing leadership as the impact people create together.
His professional profile highlights operational and process safety, risk management, incident prevention and behavioural safety. It also identifies human performance and safety culture as core areas of expertise.
As a PDO-approved HSE assessor, Al Habsi has conducted risk assessments, site audits and job safety analysis reviews. He has also mentored junior engineers and cross-functional teams on safety leadership and commissioning practices.
Sultan Al Habsi brings extensive oil and gas experience
Before taking the Yibal Cluster assignment, Al Habsi served as Health, Safety and Environment Advisor at Yibal Oil from August 2026. He previously held an HSE Advisor position at Qarn Alam from September 2025 to August 2026.
From January 2019 to September 2025, he worked with PDO’s Commissioning and Start-Up team as a Control and Automation leader. His responsibilities included commissioning across complex oil and gas assets and supporting project readiness. During this period, Al Habsi led commissioning work for the Saih Rawl North West and Mabrouk North East projects. His profile credits these projects with achieving early, safe start-ups and supporting Oman’s national gas production.
He also contributed to commissioning activities at the Rabab Harweel Integrated Project, Yibal Khuff and several oil and gas fields, including Qarn Alam, Bahja and Rima.
From instrumentation to safety leadership
Al Habsi began his career at PDO through the TOP16 Instrument Technician Trainee programme in October 2009. He progressed to Instrument Technician, a position he held until July 2018, before moving into control and automation engineering.
His earlier responsibilities included instrument maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting and compliance with HSE procedures. This technical experience provided a foundation for his later work in commissioning and safety leadership.
Al Habsi holds an honours bachelor’s degree in Instrumentation and Control Engineering and Renewable Energy Engineering from Murdoch University. He also holds a Diploma in Oil and Gas Engineering from the University of Technology and Applied Sciences.
Focus on safety culture and collaboration
Alongside his PDO responsibilities, Al Habsi is a certified trainer and coach, speaker and facilitator. He founded Voice for Development Activities, which provides training, coaching and podcast initiatives.
His stated priorities in the new role include collaboration, professional learning and strengthening HSE culture. The appointment builds on his experience across technical operations, commissioning and workplace safety within Oman’s oil and gas sector.
