Shell has chosen Wood to provide pre-Front End Engineering Design (pre-FEED) services for its ‘Blue Horizons’ project in Oman, which aims to produce low-carbon blue hydrogen and ammonia for both local and international markets.
The project also includes CO2 capture and storage, positioning it as a potentially groundbreaking initiative in Oman’s energy landscape.
Wood’s role involves designing an integrated blue hydrogen and ammonia production facility, marine facilities with ammonia storage, a 200-kilometer pipeline, and a CO2 injection facility. According to Giuseppe Zuccaro, President of Process & Chemicals at Wood, this project could be a catalyst for Oman’s transition to zero-carbon fuels.
While the ‘Blue Horizons’ project is heralded as a pioneering development, it raises questions about its economic viability and scalability. Blue hydrogen, produced from natural gas with CO2 capture, often faces higher costs compared to conventional hydrogen production methods. The project’s success will largely depend on how it manages these costs and whether it can achieve competitive pricing in both local and international markets.
The project’s expected completion in 2025 indicates an ambitious timeline. Wood plans to leverage its global teams across the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, India, and Oman. This international collaboration could bring diverse expertise and innovative solutions but also adds layers of complexity in project management and execution.
