Sumitomo Corporation, based in Tokyo, announced on Friday that it has begun a feasibility study with ARA Petroleum LLC, an Omani oil and gas producer, to investigate the feasibility of developing a hydrogen hybrid project in the Sultanate, with the hydrogen production earmarked primarily for the operation of electric vehicles.
This comes after the two sides signed a Memorandum of Undersigned in March of last year.
The feasibility study plans to develop a unique hybrid project to provide an integrated clean energy infrastructure solution. The project involves harvesting solar energy to create a renewable source of electricity; generating blue H2 from flare gas, and capturing CO2 being generated.
ARA Petroleum is striving to become a CO2-neutral hydrocarbon producer. This project is a key transitional element in pursuing its strategy towards reducing flaring and capturing CO2.
The joint project between the two companies will provide a unique clean solution to hydrocarbon production and is the first of its kind in the Sultanate of Oman. It will be a showcase for the utilization of new green technologies. The two companies launched a feasibility study for this exciting, new, Oman-based hybrid hydrogen project last month.
ARA Petroleum and Sumitomo are planning to combine H2 production and CO2 capture with a solar power plant of 20 MW which will be used by ARA Petroleum to run its production site, whilst H2 will be used to fuel new ARA Petroleum H2 powered vehicles operating in the fields. CO2 will be captured and sold to Omani industries.
“One of the most robust design elements of this hybrid project is the ease to replicate the concept in other ARA Petroleum fields and any E&P operation in Oman where associated gas is currently being flared”, ARA’s CEO Sultan al-Ghaithi said.
He added, “the project will develop Omani competencies in the field of hydrogen, it will be maintained and operated by an Omani team.
Sumitomo Corporation (a large Japanese business conglomerate and long-time business partner to ARA Petroleum) is a fantastic partner and brings in-depth knowledge of hydrogen production and utilization and we are delighted to initiate this collaboration project, which underscores the strength of the mutual ties between our respective countries and businesses.”
Source: Sumitomo/ARA Petroleum
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