Ministerial Resolution No. 193/2023 amending some provisions of the Wells and Aflaj Regulations.

This Resolution consisting of 4 articles amends the Regulations governing wells and water channels in Oman aiming to improve the efficiency and accountability of water resource management practices, ensuring that all stakeholders adhere to the established guidelines for the sustainable use of water resources. Key points include (i) the requirement for contractors involved in drilling and deepening wells to register their activities with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources, which will categorize them based on their capabilities. This registration must be done using a designated form and accompanied by necessary documentation; (ii) new definitions and clarify the responsibilities of contractors, including the installation of tracking devices on drilling equipment to monitor their location and movement; (iii) contractors are also mandated to notify the ministry immediately in case of any malfunction of the tracking devices or if the equipment is out of service. The Ministry can impose fines for non-compliance.