Oxy explores direct air capture project in Oman

MUSCAT OCT 4

In a recent announcement, Occidental Petroleum Corporation (Oxy), under the leadership of its President and CEO Vicki Hollub, revealed its intention to explore a Direct Air Capture (DAC) project in Oman. Hollub emphasised the potential for accelerated advancements in DAC and point source capture technology, which could surpass the cost reduction achieved by wind and solar energy over the past decade.

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Oxy aims to leverage digital twin technology and increased computing power to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of DAC. By utilising digital twin simulations during the development process, the company expects to accelerate the improvement of the technology. Hollub highlighted the advantages of having greater computing power and the ability to execute projects more effectively, emphasizing that Oxy has already begun operating a pilot plant utilizing this innovative technology.

After revealing a collaboration with ADNOC, the state oil company of Abu Dhabi, to investigate the potential of a DAC (Direct Air Capture) initiative, which aims to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the burning of fossil fuels to prevent their release into the atmosphere, Hollub informed an ADIPEC session on Tuesday that a functioning project model had been showcased to the Sultan of Oman.

“We will be able to improve the technology of Direct Air Capture (DAC) and point source capture, at a faster pace than wind and solar. We are able to reduce their cost, which took about 10 years, to get their cost down to about 80 to 85 per cent. Any new technology can be better improved today at a faster pace because of the fact that you can build digital twins while you are doing it. We have a lot more computing power than we’ve had previously, like other companies for things we would like to execute. We built a pilot plant, so we’re already operating this technology today. It’s just a matter now of scaling it up and working down the cost curve, which will happen sooner than later.” The implementation of a DAC project in Oman aligns with Oxy's commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. Direct Air Capture involves the extraction of carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the atmosphere, thereby mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. As the global focus on environmental conservation grows, companies like Oxy are increasingly investing in renewable technologies to address climate change concerns.

The decision to focus on Oman for the DAC project stems from several factors. Oman boasts favourable environmental conditions for carbon capture, with its strategic geographical location and its vast potential for carbon sequestration. Additionally, the project aligns with Oman's own sustainability goals and its commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

While the specific timeline and details of the project are yet to be disclosed, Oxy's dedication to accelerating the cost curve reduction suggests that progress will be made sooner rather than later. As the project moves forward, it is expected to create numerous job opportunities and foster collaborations among local and international stakeholders, driving economic growth and the development of a sustainable, low-carbon future for Oman.