BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, SEPT 24
In a significant development for Oman’s flourishing energy sector, Mohsin bin Hamad al Hadhrami, the Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, has recently signed two groundbreaking Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
These agreements have been forged with ‘Eden Geopower,’ an American company, and the Omani Earth Sciences Consultancy Centre. Together, these MoUs signify a remarkable milestone in the realm of geologic hydrogen exploration, underlining Oman’s steadfast commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and global energy security.
Al Hadhrami underscores the strategic importance of geologic hydrogen within Oman’s comprehensive energy transition plan.
He expressed his enthusiasm for the expanding hydrogen sector, recognising its significance not only from an economic standpoint but also for its potential contributions to environmental sustainability.
As the world pivots towards cleaner energy sources, hydrogen is poised to play an instrumental role in bolstering global energy security. Consequently, robust research and exploration in this sector are of paramount importance to attain the most favourable outcomes.
Moreover, Al Hadhrami stressed the vital role of international collaboration and coordination with experts and partners in advancing the scientific and technical dimensions of geologic hydrogen.
These partnerships also serve as magnets for attracting investments, which are indispensable for unlocking the full potential of this clean energy source.
Oman’s ultimate aim is crystal clear: to establish itself as a leading and trusted player on the global stage in the domain of geologic hydrogen.
The MoUs inked with ‘Eden Geopower’ and the Omani Earth Sciences Consultancy Centre represent a substantial stride in bolstering cooperation in this field. These agreements have been meticulously designed to foster scientific dialogues, conduct in-depth preliminary studies, and pinpoint suitable locations for experimental research.
Importantly, this collaborative effort encompasses the active participation of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, guaranteeing a comprehensive approach to geologic hydrogen exploration.
One of the focal points of these agreements is the identification of appropriate locations for geologic hydrogen exploration.
These sites will serve as the cornerstone for experimental research, propelling Oman closer to harnessing the tremendous potential of this clean natural resource.
It’s worth noting that Oman has already embarked on the green hydrogen journey by allocating numerous sites for investment and forging partnerships with globally acclaimed developers in this field.
This collective endeavour aims to significantly curtail carbon emissions and ensure a reliable energy supply on a global scale.
Eng Muhannad bin Al Khattab al Hinai, Director of the Hydrogen Policies and Strategies Department at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, emphasised the profound significance of research and exploration in the realm of geologic hydrogen.
Despite being in its nascent stages, the exploration and extraction of hydrogen reservoirs from beneath the Earth’s surface represent a potential opportunity to uncover another natural resource for clean energy. Al Hinai stressed the need to deepen our understanding of geologic hydrogen, conduct geological surveys to delineate its locations, and craft strategies for its exploration and production.
Furthermore, Al Hinai encouraged the active involvement of startups, small to medium-sized companies, and established oil and gas companies in the geologic hydrogen sector. These smaller entities bring innovation and motivation to delve into new fields and technologies, offering unique insights into exploration and production.
Collaboration with well-established energy companies, with their extensive experience in geological surveys and energy extraction, as well as substantial human and financial resources, can accelerate progress significantly. Such collaborative efforts are a driving force for making strides in this modern and unique field.
Oman has ambitious plans to emerge as one of the world’s leading producers of clean hydrogen.
Substantial steps have already been taken in this direction, with the issuance of Royal Decree No. 10/2023 in February.
This decree allocates land for the development of renewable energy and clean hydrogen projects. Collaborative efforts with the Department of Energy, private sector entities, and research institutions are actively underway, and the United States is deeply engaged in exploring the potential associated with Geologic Hydrogen production.
In a significant gesture of support, the US Department of Energy has recently announced an allocation of $20 million to support research and experimentation in the exploration and production of geologic hydrogen.
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