Shell’s ambitious blue hydrogen and ammonia project has garnered strong backing from the Ministry of Energy Minerals (MoEM) in Oman. The ministry is extending full support to Oman Shell as it continues its studies to assess the technical and commercial viability of this groundbreaking initiative.
The project, spearheaded by Shell, holds the promise of supplying blue hydrogen and ammonia—low-carbon alternatives—to both local and international markets while mitigating carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through capture and storage. A crucial milestone in this endeavor has been the identification of a suitable CO2 storage solution through collaboration with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO).
Duqm, strategically positioned along Oman’s coast, has been selected as the site for the blue hydrogen and ammonia manufacturing facilities. This location not only offers logistical advantages but also presents opportunities to provide local industries with access to low-carbon hydrogen.
Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Oman’s Minister of Energy and Minerals, highlighted the project’s significance in the context of the nation’s commitment to achieving Net-Zero Emissions by 2050. He emphasized that this project could play a pivotal role in accelerating the transition to low-carbon fuels for consumers, especially as large-scale green hydrogen becomes available. The Ministry is firmly behind Shell’s efforts to demonstrate the commercial and technical viability of this endeavor in the upcoming phase.
The project’s developer, Walid Hadi, Senior Vice-President and Country Chair of Oman Shell, underscored Shell’s commitment to Oman’s Vision 2040, which includes the ambitious goal of reaching Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050. The project’s pre-feasibility stage aims to advance technical design, solidify commercial agreements with the Omani government and customers, and showcase the broader benefits it can bring to the country.
Hadi expressed Shell’s view that blue and green hydrogen projects complement each other in Oman, emphasizing Shell’s involvement in the Green Energy Oman renewable hydrogen project.
This collaboration between the government of Oman and Shell underscores the growing momentum towards sustainable and low-carbon energy solutions globally. Blue hydrogen, produced by reforming natural gas while capturing and storing the resulting CO2 emissions, is a promising avenue to decarbonize various industries. It aligns with Oman’s vision of transitioning towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly energy landscape.
As the project advances through its phases, it represents not only a significant step for Oman but also contributes to the broader efforts to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The alignment of government support and corporate commitment positions Oman as a key player in the global transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
In a world increasingly focused on carbon reduction and sustainability, Oman’s blue hydrogen and ammonia project is a beacon of hope, exemplifying the potential for partnerships between governments and corporations to drive meaningful change and pave the way towards a greener and more prosperous future.
