He unveiled the statistics during a meeting with the parliament Bahrainisation committee chaired by MP Ibrahim Khalid Al Nafea.

Oil Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said the rate of Bahrainisation at Bapco stands at 84pc, unveiling plans to enhance the rate in the new energy projects.

MANAMA: Bahrainis make up 80 per cent of employees working with companies run by the National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga).

“The ministry has vowed to bring the rate of Bahrainisation and the Gulf Petrochemical Industries (GPIC) to 95pc by 2021,” said Mr Al Nafea.

The new Noga energy projects are expected to generate up to 500 work opportunities for Bahraini jobseekers.

Meanwhile, environmental issues surrounding the oil deal sealed between Bahrain and a major Italian petroleum company took centre stage at a meeting of parliament’s financial and economic committee.

The Oil Minister and Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) chief executive Dr Mohammed bin Daina attended.

Noga signed the Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement with Italian oil and gas company Eni.

Raising environmental fears, committee chairman MP Ahmed Al Salloum stressed the need for SCE-supervision of the project and the appointment of a specialised consultancy company.

The panel, which discussed the law approving the deal, stressed the necessity to draw up a contingency plan approved by the consultancy firm to deal with accidents or emergencies.

It underlined the need to guarantee the right of Bahrain to seek compensation, in case the Italian company fails to honour its commitments.

The government and parliamentary sides discussed the firm’s commitment to invest in exploration activities, using environment-friendly cutting-edge technologies to ensure efficient prospection and optimise production.

The two sides focused on security preparations, stressing the role of the coastguard in ensuring direct supervision, using latest navigational techniques.

They also reviewed Bahrain’s shares and profits, compared with neighbouring countries.

“Bahrainis will be trained to enhance their employability in oil exploration,” said Mr Al Salloum, pointing out that the initial phase requires experts and specialists.

“The rate of Bahrainisation would be brought to 50pc during the initial phase – that is the oil exploration stage.”

He stressed the importance of the project, whose dividends would revitalise the national economy, spur growth, create jobs for Bahrainis and contribute to bolstering fiscal balance.

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