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Oman key to Shell’s hydrogen strategy

11 December 2024

 

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The feasibility study is continuing for the first phase of the Shell-backed Green Energy Oman (GEO) project, Wiveka Elion, managing director of Green Energy Oman (GEO) and formerly general manager of Hydrogen Import-Export Shell, told MEED on the sidelines of the Oman Green Hydrogen Investor day in Muscat on 11 December.

"We're in the midst of a feasibility study," Elion said, while declining to specify a firm target year for the GEO project to reach a financial investment decision. "We are working on it."

She added that technology, particularly electrolysers, will not be the main factor slowing down the scaling up of green hydrogen projects in Oman or globally.

"We are a customer-backed project, so in the end, the pace will go with the market … we will find the technology to match the market," Elion told MEED.

The final output of the planned project, whether ammonia or liquid hydrogen, among others, will depend on market demand and the outcome of the ongoing feasibility study.

Elion referenced multiple projects in various locations, such as India and China, where they are trialling next-generation electrolysers that can improve the efficiency of the green hydrogen production process by as much as 30% compared to existing technology.

These pilot projects include so-called pressurised alkaline electrolyser systems that can perform under intermittent conditions without degradation.

With three projects under development in Oman, the sultanate plays a key role in the UK/Netherlands-headquartered energy company's hydrogen strategy and portfolio.

"Oman is a committed partner and that's very important," Elion said.

In addition to GEO, which it is co-developing with Hong Kong-based Intercontinental Energy, Kuwait's Enertech and the local OQ, Shell is leading the development of Blue Horizons, a hydrogen and blue ammonia facility with associated carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline and CO2 injection facilities.

It is also the main partner in developing Oman's first hydrogen fuelling station.

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Jennifer Aguinaldo

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