With the third anniversary of the Saudi campaign against Iran-affiliated Houthi militants in Yemen the conflict looks ever more like a gory stalemate (MEES, 27 October 2017). With violence now largely confined to the Houthi-controlled western highlands and a few flashpoints on the front (see map), risk-tolerant IOCs are increasingly willing to contemplate re-entry.
Austria’s OMV last month sent a team, including at least two ex-pats, to its Habban field on Block S2 in Shabwa province to assess what’s needed to restart production. Oil minister (for the pro-Saudi government) Aous al-Awd commends OMV’s efforts as “positive signs of bringing the oil and gas sector back into operation.” (CONTINUED - 814 WORDS)
