Oman LNG to produce synthetic methane for carbon emission reduction

MUSCAT: Oman LNG intensifies its efforts towards finding the best mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions through strategic partnerships with various global companies in the fields of innovation, sustainability, research for alternative energy sources and reducing its carbon footprint.

The company aims to leverage the opportunities of producing synthetic methane to reduce carbon emissions from its operations by developing cooperation with energy companies worldwide.

In this context, the memorandum of understanding signed by Oman LNG with the Japanese companies Hitachi Zosen and Hitachi Innova to provide the necessary consultations for establishing a project to reduce carbon emissions and produce synthetic methane.

Synthetic methane is the industrial production of natural gas through a chemical reaction where carbon dioxide (first or second) is fused with hydrogen to produce methane gas, which is the main component of natural gas, in addition to its contribution to combating climate change and energy storage challenges.

The production of synthetic methane will capture carbon dioxide emissions from Oman LNG's operations, reuse them, and convert them into clean methane that can be used as fuel or liquefied as natural gas; thus reducing the company's greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the national efforts of the Sultanate of Oman to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Eng Hamad bin Abdullah al Maamari, Decarbonisation and New Energy Senior Manager at Oman LNG stated that with Oman's focus on renewable energy, the production of synthetic methane provides an opportunity to store surplus renewable energy by converting it into methane, which can be stored and transported more easily than electricity and used to enhance the current infrastructure of natural gas, providing greater flexibility in energy systems and helping integrate renewable energy sources.

The cooperation agreement between Oman LNG and Hitachi Zosen and Hitachi Innova emphasises the central role that Oman plays in providing energy to Japan, with the aim of assessing the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of producing synthetic gas from carbon dioxide and hydrogen emissions.

Oman LNG will collaborate with Hitachi Zosen and Hitachi Innova to develop a pilot synthetic methane project to evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of producing synthetic gas from carbon dioxide and hydrogen emissions, which can be reutilised in the company's operations either to produce liquefied natural gas or consume it as fuel.

This initiative represents an opportunity to enhance the joint efforts between Oman and Japan to benefit from Oman LNG's expertise and resources to enhance sustainable energy solutions. The pilot project will include extensive research and development activities, including experimental testing, data analysis, and technology improvements.

Al Maamari stated that the carbon emission reduction and synthetic methane production project is a strategic project, offering the chance to discover a new technology that aids in the green transition, recycling carbon dioxide emissions from factories into cleaner energy with lower carbon emissions.

The successful implementation of this pilot project will achieve numerous benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, diversifying revenues, and income sources for the Sultanate of Oman.

Roni Araiji, General Manager for the Middle East at Hitachi Zosen and Innova, confirmed that the agreement signed with Oman LNG to build a carbon emission reduction and synthetic methanol production project will be implemented after the completion of studies that will last for 10 months, explaining that the project will be established at Oman LNG's plant and is a joint Omani-Japanese-Swiss project.

He pointed out that several countries are currently moving towards using clean energy as part of their plans to achieve carbon neutrality, stating that the memorandum signed with Oman LNG represents an opportunity that will yield positive results, whether for Oman specifically or various countries worldwide in general. — ONA

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