Oman’s Oil Minister Mohammed Al Rumhy told Upstream that lawyers on both sides are putting the final touches to the deal before its formal signing.

“We have an agreement. Everything has been agreed and we will formally sign the deal before the end of the year,” said Al Rumhy.

BP chief executive Bob Dudley also said the deal is close to a conclusion and that the UK supermajor is hoping it will be able to make a final investment decision on the project before the end of the year.

He