Safer Exploration & Production Operations Company

The EGM Statement


Salem Kaiti , Executive General Manager

Safer Exploration and Production Operations Company (SEPOC) began operating and managing all petroleum operations of Block 18 – Marib-Al Jawf in mid-November 2005. Over the past 20 years of national contribution and continuous operation, the Company has accomplished many important achievements, managed and controlled major challenges, and successfully continued producing different energy products every day for the local and international markets without any operational shutdowns.

At the start, on November 15, 2005, the Company commenced operating facilities and managing operations with both national staff and multinational expertise. The national workforce at that time represented more than 75% of the total employees. Over the years, the percentage of national workers has reached 99% of the Company’s workforce at present — a clear reflection of SEPOC’s commitment to building and empowering national capabilities.

During these years, the Company succeeded in accomplishing many important objectives in various fields, whether those related to the development and training of the workforce, or the improvement of health care for employees and their families, or those related to technical achievements in exploration, production, and maintenance, in addition to continuous improvement of HSE performance across all operating sites.

Since the war started in Yemen on March 26, 2015, the Company, with its loyal national cadres, has been able to overcome all the security, financial, and technical challenges during the war years. The Company’s production facilities and all other operations continued running smoothly without interruption. Field maintenance and risk-mitigation operations also continued, and the Company succeeded in preserving oil and gas reserves in Block 18 through gas-recycling operations, maintaining production facilities, and ensuring their readiness for work. Some operations related to the upgrading of the Marib Refinery and the provision of the necessary spare parts for this upgrade have also been completed, contributing to the stability and improvement of refined-product output — gasoline, diesel, and premium gasoline — and securing refinery support services for petroleum operations in the Block.

SEPOC has been crowned with one of its most important achievements in the field of production — the introduction of premium gasoline in 2019. Based on detailed technical, economic, and environmental studies of its constituent materials, notably the C5+ component extracted from the Company’s gas plants, this achievement enhanced SEPOC’s contribution to Yemen’s energy supply. Thus, SEPOC remains the main supplier and strategic partner for all national energy needs, producing crude oil, gas, LPG, and premium gasoline — all marketed through the Yemeni Gas Company and the Yemeni Oil Company. In addition, SEPOC continues to supply natural gas as fuel to the Marib power station.

SEPOC, as the upstream operator of Block 18, started in November 2008 delivering natural gas to the Balhaf terminal on the Arabian Sea for LNG export and continued until YLNG ceased exporting LNG in April 2015, after which SEPOC maintained a limited gas supply to keep Balhaf facilities in operational condition.

When the war began in 2015, crude oil export through the Ras Isa terminal on the Red Sea was halted. In October 2019, the Company resumed crude exports by trucking to Block 4 facilities and then by pipeline to Al-Nushaymah terminal on the Arabian Sea. Later, in July 2023, SEPOC began using the 12-inch pipeline connecting Block 18 with Block 5 to supply crude oil for power generation in Aden.

In addition to these achievements, SEPOC succeeded during these difficult years to control expenses and reduce the overall operations costs, which included the replacement of some power engines, resulting in the elimination of major overhaul equipment costs. This is in addition to the optimizations and effective utilization of manpower based on the Company’s job requirements, specific and defined needs.

Recent Achievements

Over the past few years, SEPOC has attained several new milestones reflecting its ongoing technical advancement and social commitment:

  • Construction and operation of a new crude-oil storage tank, enhancing the Company’s storage capacity, operational safety, and production reliability.
  • Attainment of ISO 27001:2022 Certification for Information Security Management Systems — a recognition of SEPOC’s strong commitment to cybersecurity, risk management, and international best practices.
  • Environmental Achievement – Methane Alert Response (MARS Initiative):
    SEPOC was recognized by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) for its exemplary environmental performance within the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) initiative. The Company earned praise for its swift and responsible response to all detected methane alerts, including prompt field inspections, temporary well shutdowns, and the replacement of over 50 leaking valves — demonstrating SEPOC’s strong commitment to climate transparency, safety, and environmental stewardship.
  • Inauguration of a Dialysis Center at Marib General Hospital as part of SEPOC’s social-responsibility initiatives, improving healthcare access for the local community.
  • Installation of Electronic Luggage Belts at Sayun International Airport — a joint project between SEPOC and the Yemen Gas Company (YGC).
    The project included two advanced baggage-handling systems for the departure and arrival halls, manufactured to special specifications in Romania and equipped with modern safety and electronic control features.

Future Outlook

SEPOC will continue to be the main pillar of Yemen’s energy sector and a reliable source of fuel for both local and potential future international markets. The Company remains committed to innovation, sustainability, and modification by exploring opportunities in unconventional resources, developing CNG projects for transportation, improving LPG extraction efficiency, and pursuing new exploration prospects in cooperation with international partners.

In conclusion, I am delighted to thank my colleagues who had the main role and the honor of participating in all of the Company’s achievements. The Company’s staff will remain the focus of our attention and care toward achieving the common interests of SEPOC and its employees. I also extend my sincere appreciation to the local authority leadership in Marib, the Ministry of Oil, and the Presidential Leadership Council for their continuous support for SEPOC.

May Allah bless everyone.

Salem Mohammed Kaiti

Executive General Manager