Oman LNG weighs solar PV, carbon capture projects

MUSCAT, OCT 22

A decarbonisation strategy unveiled by Oman LNG envisions plans for, among other initiatives, the development of solar PV capacity, battery energy storage, carbon capture and storage, and electrification of elements of the 3-train liquefaction plant at Qalhat.

The strategy, set out in the company’s Sustainability Report for 2023, comes against a backdrop of significant developments at the majority state-owned energy company, particularly as it commences a new 10-year extension phase starting from 2025. Under a new mandate granted by its shareholders and the Omani government last October, Oman LNG will keep operating for a further 10 years from 2025 to 2034, while Qalhat LNG gets an additional lease of life beyond 2026 until 2029.

Overseeing the delivery of Oman LNG’s strategy to reduce its carbon footprint is a new Decarbonisation & New Energies Department tasked with identifying and progressing GHG reduction and net-zero opportunities, including decarbonisation projects.

“It also oversees the operationalisation of Oman LNG’s net-zero emissions strategy, with a focus on adopting new compliance standards and exploring new energy solutions, carbon pricing, and carbon credits, including local and global mandates,” it noted.

Significantly, a number of initiatives are currently being evaluated in support of Oman LNG’s decarbonisation goals. It includes a proposal for the installation of solar PV cells in all open areas for the generation of renewable electricity. This will enable the partial shutdown of one of its gas engines during the daytime.

Furthermore, by investing in a battery energy storage system (BESS) as a contingency option, the opportunity to operate fewer gas engines at higher loading – in the event of a sudden engine loss or trip – is being studied as well.

Additionally, carbon capture and storage opportunities linked to Oman LNG’s operations are being explored, according to the company. One option being weighed – dubbed the Partial CO2 Export option – centres on a proposal to export CO2 in feed gas from the Acid Gas Removal Unit to industries in Sur Industrial City. The CO2 is presently despatched to the high-temperature furnace. However, under a Full CO2 Export option, Oman LNG is studying Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) opportunities whereby pre-combustion CO2 from the Acid Gas Removal Unit is captured and sent to upstream wells for storage.

At the same time, Oman LNG is backing a study into the feasibility of establishing a Hydrogen Hub in Sur in collaboration with National Hydrogen Alliance (Hy-Fly). “The study will explore the potential capture of CO2 and utilisation for new business development such as urea, green ammonia, and synthetic natural gas via methanation or e-methanol production opportunities. We have also initiated a feasibility study with Muscat University to explore the production of synthetic natural gas via methanation, considering CO2 from Acid Gas Removal,” Oman LNG said.

Likewise, the company is examining the potential of recovering hydrocarbons during various flaring scenarios with the intent to reprocess or consume the calorific value of the flaring streams, it added.