Oman invested USD11.4 billion in developing the oil and gas sector last year. However, the government was able to reduce its total budgeted expenditure in the oil sector by USD1.3 billion during the period, mainly due to enhanced efficiency. Of the total expenditure, USD8.2 billion was for oil sector, while the remaining USD3.2 billion investment was for developing the natural gas fields. However, capital expenditure in natural gas sector increased by USD600 million last year, mainly due to BP’s investment in Khazzan field, Salim Al Aufi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Oil and Gas said. He added that the government would follow a similar policy in cutting expenditure this year as well, but it will not affect Omani work force. (Times of Oman)