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Oman is close to concluding a feasibility study for blending hydrogen into existing natural gas networks, a senior official at Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) said.
Dr Khalil al Hanashi, Energy Technology Lead, Energy Renewal Unit – PDO said the Unit, together with OQ and the national hydrogen team are studying the possibilities, limitations and benefits of blending hydrogen in the natural gas networks of Oman.
“The feasibility study was kicked off in July 2021 and is in the final stages of conclusion,” he said.
In 2020, a European study had demonstrated that hydrogen can be transported through repurposed gas pipelines at one-tenth the cost of other modes.
Recounting Oman’s hydrogen journey till date at the Oman Green Hydrogen Forum, Al Hanashi said in July 2021, Oman’s Duqm port became the first port in the region to join the Global Ports Hydrogen Coalition, an association launched at the 12th Clean Energy Ministerial meeting in June 2021 to develop hydrogen shipping infrastructure.
He said Oman sees potential in developing hydrogen derivative bunkering fuels to decarbonise the shipping industry. “We've seen recent interest from the maritime sector. The International Maritime Organisation is mandating 50 percent emission cut by 2050 which means you won't be allowed to ship if you don't comply. The latest estimates looked at 60 percent shipping fuelled by hydrogen in 2050”.
Citing another opportunity, Al Hanashi said: “Some preliminary work has been done on exploring the potential for storing large quantities of hydrogen in Oman’s salt domes”.
He said 3-4 organisations are exploring the potential of Ophiolite rocks for their natural hydrogen production capabilities and have detected surface seepages with high natural hydrogen concentration. “We don’t know the commercial reality yet, but a lot of innovation is required to exploit this aspect. Additionally, Oman is also exploring the aspect of carbon mineralisation by peridotite rocks on a small scale,” he said.
Al Hanashi explained that there is a big In-Country Value (ICV) opportunity in building wind turbine structures as Omani companies building ships and communications towers can benefit from the expanding opportunity.
(Reporting by Sowmya Sundar; Editing by Anoop Menon)
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