Oman’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MEM) has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Petroleum Development Oman, Shell Oman, OQ Gas Networks (OQGN), and Occidental Petroleum. The purpose of this agreement is to foster collaboration in the areas of carbon capture, use, storage, and blue hydrogen development in the Sultanate. These entities will work together to establish a center of expertise to aid in the development of regulatory and strategic frameworks for these initiatives.
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Achieiving carbon neutrality by 2050
The signing of the MoU is part of the government’s efforts to utilize carbon capture and blue hydrogen production technologies in alignment with the objectives of Oman’s National Energy Strategy. It also reflects the country’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology holds great promise as a solution to reduce carbon emissions and achieve zero carbon neutrality, particularly in sectors such as oil and gas production, industrial processes, and fossil fuel-based power generation. By capturing and storing carbon dioxide emissions, CCUS technology offers a pathway to mitigate the environmental impact of these sectors and contribute to a more sustainable future.
The Sultanate of Oman’s National Strategy for an Orderly Transition to Net Zero, developed by the Carbon Management Lab in October 2022, outlined that CCUS would play a significant role, accounting for approximately 15 percent of the overall reduction in domestic emissions. This contribution is crucial in achieving carbon neutrality in the Sultanate by 2050.
Techno-economic assessments
This agreement aligns with ongoing endeavors to identify tangible measures for carbon emissions reduction. It aims to facilitate future initiatives and ventures in carbon capture and blue hydrogen production by establishing a dedicated center of expertise to conduct comprehensive techno-economic assessments in Oman. Additionally, it seeks to support the development of regulatory frameworks and strategies to promote growth in this sector.
The House of Expertise will establish a central team in collaboration with the MEM, along with several partners possessing substantial knowledge in energy, CCUS , and blue hydrogen development. This collaboration will pave the way for the development of targeted action plans, focusing on the technical and organizational aspects of the value chain stages associated with this field. These steps will involve the active involvement of various public, private, academic, investment, and research institutions with relevant expertise and experience.
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