Hitachi Zosen, Oman LNG collaborate on methanation

Hitachi Zosen Corporation, a Japanese engineering and technology firm, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Oman LNG regarding cooperation in the field of methanation, it announced on March 11. 

Aligned with the shared commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, both Japan and Oman have been actively pursuing collaborative efforts in carbon recycling, including hydrogen, ammonia, and methanation. In December 2022, the two governments signed an MoU on cooperation in these critical areas.

Under the newly signed MoU, the parties aim to integrate methanation equipment into LNG plants owned by Oman LNG, with a focus on utilising emitted CO2 as a resource. The collaboration seeks to explore the commercial prospects for a small pilot plant to be located adjacent to the existing LNG facility. The pilot plant is projected to produce 1,200 Nm³/h of e-methane.

Hitachi Zosen's proposal has been accepted for the fiscal year 2024 subsidy programme initiated by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, and the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy. The subsidy will be utilised for the basic design and evaluation of the pilot plant, aiming to pave the way for subsequent commercialisation efforts.

Oman LNG recently signed agreements to extend supplies to shareholders including Shell and TotalEnergies for up to 10 years beyond 2024. It has also penned a number of long-term supply deals in recent months. Last year, it signed an agreement with Shell, Thai PTT and France’s TotalEnergies and Botas. In December 2022, it signed deals with three Japanese companies: Itochu Corporation, Jera and Mitsui & Co. Oman LNG has also signed a deal with Germany's SEFE.