Investing in a Petrol Station in Oman

Cars are increasing in Sultanate of Oman year after year. The demand of oil products is increasing year after year. Citizens and expatriates driving the car in the country are increasing. Many petrol stations are opening outside Muscat and the petrol stations inside Muscat are doing well. The retail sales had grown 19% in Al Maha in 2008 (Source: Financial Report) and it opened 11 petrol stations. Oman Oil had started 8 petrol Stations in 2008 (Source: Financial Report)

Government Rules

Government in the Sultanate of Oman do consider that all the individuals who are interested in opening a petrol stations do have a land which is commercial or Residential & Commercial lands and the size to be not less then 2600 m2. And the distance between each petrol station to be 5 Kilometers. The Five Kilometers rule does not apply in Sohar and Salalah (Source: Employee from Al Maha). Those rules are appliciable to the three companies in Oman managed by Ministry of Oil & Gas in the country.

Brand

In Oman we do have three brands for petrol stations which are: Oman Oil, Al Maha and Shell. Selecting which brand you want to represent is important. The three companies will support you well. Having good relationship with the company is important and showing that you can manage the petrol station is important while you are with them. Thinking about the way the Marketing strategy that the three companies do follow and the Customer Service Support they will provide you is important. According to a research done by an independent company it shows that customers in the country prefer Shell (Source: Shell Oman Marketing Report). When an investor go for Al Maha they do prepare for him a business case and feasibility study (Source: Employee from Al Maha)

Products to Sell

Selecting selling the three major products which are super, regular or diesel is another factor. Being in a location where many tracks do by pass means it is important that you sell diesel.

Location

Location is very important criteria when you want to start a petrol station. Knowing about the new roads where the country is planning to open. Roads which they are many cars do by pass and there is know petrol station. The Volume of cars is important. Surrounding major projects and houses is important factor. This an important factor the three companies do care about.

Value Added Services

Another very important factor is Value Added Services are services beside the major petrol station is important. Opening a shop with the petrol station is important. This will generate direct sales from the shop. Also, it will increase the revenue of the petrol station as people will stop their car to fillup their car and then stop shopping in the shop. Providing a Car wash. Furthermore, starting a restaurant where people can eat will let more people come to the petrol station.

Investing opening a petrol station is a Long Term Investment where you can make good Return on Investment for the Long Run. The three companies in the country will support you and Ministry of Oil and Gas in the country will provide you a great assistance.

Selecting Location for Petrol Station in Oman

One important criteria when investing in Starting or buying a Petrol Station is the location of the Petrol Station. How do I know the location of the Petrol Station I want to build or buy is good? They are some few questions you need to answer and gather the data to know if the location you are selecting is good. First of all, is the traffic in the location you would like to start building the petrol station. Are they many traffic in the road where you want to build the petrol station? Remember that the traffic in weekdays might be very different from weekends. Type of traffic is another important factor. Do most of the traffic are cars or trucks? And are the traffic willing to fill a lot while stopping in the location? Also, ask if the road is accessible by many cars from different locations. It is very important selecting a location where car drivers can access the petrol station very easily. In addition, accessing the petrol station from different roads to the petrol station. Being able to access the petrol station from more then one road is important factor to consider when selecting a petrol station location. It is very important selecting a location where car drivers can access the petrol station very easily. Furthermore, are they any other petrol stations around you or near by the location you are thinking of? Selecting a location where nearby they are no Petrol Stations will let car drivers come more to your petrol station. The future growth and the future projects in a certain location is important factor to consider when selecting a location. Gathering data that a certain area will be having many future project is important factor for the location.

Wish you all the best selecting location of your Petrol Station in the new year of 2010!