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Corporate Governance

Board of Directors

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The principles of Corporate Governance at OQ Gas Networks SAOG (“OQGN” or the “Company”) guide the manner in which the Company is directed and controlled, ensuring transparency, accountability and the creation of sustainable long-term value for its Shareholders and stakeholders. OQGN’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance in line with best market practices and fully complies with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including the FSA Code of Corporate Governance for Public Joint Stock Companies in the Sultanate of Oman (Referred to as the “Code”).

The Board, elected at the Ordinary General Meeting held on August 24, 2023, will continue to serve until the Annual General Meeting in 2026. The Board provides strategic oversight, approves key policies, and monitors the performance of the Company to ensure alignment with its objectives and fiduciary responsibilities.

Following the resignation of Mr. Talal Al Awfi as Chairman on March 3, 2025, the Board appointed Mr. Ayad Al Balushi as Chairman and Mr. Abdulwahab Al Hinai, who was elected to fill the newly vacant seat, was appointed by the Board as Deputy Chairman. All members of the Board do not assume a management role at OQGN and therefore identified as non-executive directors.

Board Structure

Board Composition by Independence

Board Composition by Gender

Talal Al Awfi
Former Chairman1
Non-independent
Profile
Position/s:
Chief Executive Commercial, OQ SAOC
Chief Commercial Officer, OQ Supply & Trading
Chairman, Oman LNG LLC
Chairman, OQ Trading Ltd.
Board Roles:
Director, MOL Hungarian Oil & Gas PLC
Director, Oman Oil Marketing Co.
Marketing Director, Oman Ministry of Oil & Gas
Education:
Degree in Business and Finance, Salford University, UK
Master’s Degree in Marketing,
Salford University, UK.
Ayad Al Balushi
Chairman
Non-independent
Committee membership:
The Board Executive Committee
(Chairman)
Profile
Position/s:
CEO, OMRAN Group
CFO, Oman Investment Authority
Board Roles:
Chairman, Abraj Energy Services SAOG
Experience:
23 years in the oil and gas sector; program leadership roles at OQ; previous CFO appointments
Education:
BEng Mechanical Engineering, University of Nottingham.
Abdulwahhab Al Hinai
Deputy Chairman
Non-independent
Committee membership:
The Nomination and Remuneration
Committee (Chairman)
The Board Executive Committee
(Member)
Profile
Position/s:
General Counsel, OQ
Board Roles:
Deputy Chairman
Experience:
21 years of experience in legal and regulatory practice within the energy and network industries.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in law, Master's degree in law, and Master's degree in business administration
Fathi Al Balushi
Member
Independent
Committee membership:
The Audit Risk Committee (Chairman)
Profile
Position/s:
Chief Executive Officer, Oman Brunei Investment Company
Board Roles:
Board Member, Nama Electricity Distribution Company
Experience:
21 years of experience in finance; led over USD 10 billion in debt financing; senior leadership roles in Oman and Brunei
Education:
Master’s degree in Finance
Raiya Al Salmi
Member
Non-independent
Committee membership:
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (Member) (Chairman) 2
The Audit Risk Committee (Member)
Profile
Position/s:
VP Corporate Strategy, OQ.
Board Roles:
Board Member, GS EPS Ltd.
Experience:
18 years of experience across oil and gas, asset management, and advisory roles; transformation leadership
Education:
MBA, University of Houston; Bsc, University of Kent
Hanaa Al Hinai
Member
Independent
Committee membership:
The Audit Risk Committee (Member)
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (Member)
Profile
Position/s:
Chief Executive Officer, Liva Insurance
Board Roles:
Board Member, Outward Bound Oman, Omani Unified Bureau for the Orange Card SAOC; Oman Insurance Association
Experience:
24 years of experience in insurance and banking; focus on strategic growth and innovation
Education:
Master’s degree in Business Finance, Victoria University; Executive education programs
Irfan Mian
Member
Independent
Committee membership:
The Audit Risk Committee (Member)
Profile
Position/s:
Head of Regional Investments Portfolio, Saudi Public Investment Fund
Experience:
Up to 26 years in private equity and portfolio management
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Economics, London School of Economics; Master’s degree in Industrial Relations (specializing in Economics), University of Oxford; MBA, IESE Business School, Spain
Ben De Waele
Member
Independent
Committee membership:
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (Member)
The Board Executive Committee (Member)
Profile
Position/s:
Senior Vice President, Belgian Operations, Fluxys
Board Roles:
Board Memberships in gas transmission companies
Experience:
22 years of experience at Fluxys; extensive experience in the gas transmission industry
Education:
Chemical Engineering; MBA, Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School.

Role and Election of the Board

The Board provides strategic oversight of OQGN by supporting management through the implementation of robust internal control frameworks, effective risk management practices, and strict adherence to all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. Acting in the best interests of Shareholders, the Board upholds the Company’s integrity while ensuring balanced consideration of the interests of all stakeholders.

Board members are elected through a transparent and well-defined process at the Annual or Ordinary General Meeting, with voting rights exercised in proportion to shareholdings. Directors serve three-year terms and are required to meet clear eligibility criteria, including:

  • A minimum age of 25 years;
  • A record of good conduct and sound professional standing;
  • Registration as a shareholder with Muscat Clearing & Depository Co. (MCDC); and
  • The absence of unresolved indebtedness to the Company or any history of serious criminal convictions or bankruptcy, unless fully rehabilitated

Independent Directors are required to retain their independence throughout their tenure, with Board membership ceasing should this status change. Additional requirements include serving on no more than four SAOG boards in Oman, chairing no more than two, and avoiding employment or board membership in companies with similar objectives. These provisions align with the Commercial Company Law (the “CCL”), the Code, and the FSA Executive Regulations for Joint Stock Company (the “SAOG Regulations”), reinforcing high standards of integrity, accountability, and strategic expertise.

Annual meetings reinforce transparency and engagement between the Board, Shareholders, and Executive Management. Detailed agendas and comprehensive reports are circulated in advance to encourage informed participation and meaningful dialogue. Consistently high attendance at these meetings reflects OQGN’s strong commitment to effective governance and transparency.

Attendance for the Board meetings and the latest General Meeting

Meeting OGM
October 9, 2025
BOD 1
March 5, 2025
BOD 2
April 29, 2025
BOD 3
July 30, 2025
BOD 4
September 14, 2025
BOD 5
October 27, 2025
Talal Al Awfi N/A Yes N/A N/A N/A N/A
Ayad Al Balushi Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Abdulwahhab Al Hinai Yes N/A Yes Yes Yes Yes
Fathi Al Balushi Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Raiya Al Salmi Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hanaa Al Hinai Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Irfan Mian Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ben De Waele Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Board Committees

Audit and Risk Committee

The Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) comprises of four (4) members, three (3) of whom are independent Directors and is chaired by an Independent Director in line with the Independency definition and the requirement of the Code. ARC also includes at least one member with relevant financial and accounting expertise, ensuring effective oversight of financial reporting and risk management. ARC oversees internal and external audit activities, including recommending the appointment and remuneration of the Head of internal audit and external audit activities. It reviews and approves audit plans, key findings/audit reports, and endorses financial statements to ensure compliance with international standards including Financial reporting (IFRS), Auditing (ISA), Internal audit (IIA Standards), etc.).

In addition, the ARC oversees the Company’s risk management framework, accounting policies, and fraud prevention measures. By reviewing related-party transactions and acting as a key liaison between the Board and the auditors, the ARC supports informed Board decision-making and reinforces transparency, accountability, and strong governance practices.

Meetings and Attendance

ARC Composition Position
Meeting 1
March 2, 2025
Meeting 2
April 27, 2025
Meeting 3
July 24, 2025
Meeting 4
September 2, 2025
Meeting 5
October 23, 2025
Fathi Al Balushi Chairman Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hanaa Al Hinai Member Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Raiya Al Salmi Member Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Irfan Mian Member Yes No Yes Yes Yes

Nomination and Remuneration Committee

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC), established in 2023 in line with the requirements of the Code, it supports the Board in maintaining effective leadership, strong succession planning, and fair, transparent remuneration practices. The NRC oversees the nomination and election of suitably qualified directors and sets clear policies for Board and executive remuneration, including Board sitting fees.

The NRC is responsible for Board succession planning, with particular focus on the Chairperson role, the development of clear role descriptions, and the recommendation of interim appointments when required. It also oversees executive leadership planning by identifying and recommending candidates for key management positions, implementing performance-linked remuneration frameworks, and reviewing incentive structures to ensure alignment with market practices, shareholder interests, and the Company’s long-term performance.

Meetings and Attendance

NRC Composition Position

Meeting 1
March 3, 2025
Meeting 2
July 15, 2025
Meeting 3
October 16, 2025
Meeting 4
December 16, 2025
Raiya Al Salami Former Chairman Yes N/A N/A N/A
Abdulwahhab Al Hinai 3 Chairman N/A Yes Yes Yes
Hanaa Al Hinai Member Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ben De Waele Member Yes Yes Yes Yes

3 Abdulwahhab Al Hinai is a member of NRC from May 15, 2025

Executive Committee

The Board Executive Committee (BEC) operates as an extension of the Board, exercising delegated authority to ensure timely and effective decision-making. Its mandate includes reviewing, endorsing, and approving critical financial, contractual, and strategic matters, such as the 5-Year Business Plan, major investments, and legal proceedings. In addition, the BEC addresses settlement agreements, excluding procurement-related claims, and undertakes any other responsibilities assigned by the Board, ensuring operational efficiency and continuity in Board decision-making.

Meetings and Attendance

EC Composition Position

Meeting 1
July 29, 2025
Meeting 2
September 3, 2025
Meeting 5
October 22, 2025
Ayad Al Balushi Chairman Yes Yes Yes
Abdulwahhab Al Hinai Member Yes Yes Yes
Ben De Waele Member Yes Yes Yes

Remuneration

The total remuneration paid to the Board Members in 2025 has amounted to X 150,000. The sitting fees, totaling X 30,900, paid to the Board Members for the meetings held in 2025 were as follows:

Director’s Name Board
Sitting fees
(X)
ARC
Sitting fees
(X)
NRC
Sitting fees
(X)
BEC
Sitting fees
(X)
Total
(X)
Talal Al Awfi 700 N/A N/A N/A 700
Ayad Al Balushi 3,500 N/A N/A 900 4,400
Abdulwahhab Al Hinai 2,800 N/A 900 900 4,600
Fathi Al Balushi 3,500 1,500 N/A N/A 5,000
Raiya Al Salmi 3,500 1,500 300 N/A 5,300
Hanaa Al Hinai 3,500 1,500 1,200 N/A 6,200
Irfan Mian 3,500 1,200 N/A N/A 4,700
Ben De Waele Waived N/A Waived Waived Nil
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