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Omani OQ Group’s green unit OQ Alternative Energy signed two agreements to explore developing e-fuels in Oman, according to a statement on Saturday. The feasibility studies aim to explore the technical and commercial viability of e-NG, e-Gas, and e-SAF.
First, e-NG: The company signed a joint feasibility study with Belgium’s Tree Energy Solutions (TES) to assess the viability of electric Natural Gas (e-NG) production in Oman.
This has been a long time coming: TES’ plans to produce hydrogen from renewable sources in MENA was first reported in 2022, when the company said it plans it is looking into partnerships in Egypt, the UAE and Oman.
SOUND SMART- What is e-NG? e-NG is a sustainable synthetic methane created by combining green hydrogen with recycled CO2 to create a scalable green alternative to fossil fuels. It can be transported and stored using existing infrastructures such as natural gas pipelines given that it is identical to natural gas on a molecular level and therefore is easy to blend into the existing energy mix. The gas can also power ships and factories.
Next, e-Gas + e-SAF: OQ Alternative Energy also signed an agreement with Dutco, Sumitomo, Automobili Lamborghini, and Airbus for a joint feasibility study to evaluate the production of e-Gasoline and e-SAF in the Sultanate. e-gas and e-SAF are also produced through the combination of green hydrogen and CO2 captured from the atmosphere or biogenic sources.
Oman has big green fuel plans: Hydrom signed an agreement with the Hyport Duqm Consortium — a JV between OQ Alternative Energy and DEME Concessions — last year for the construction of a green hydrogen production facility to produce some 1 mn tons of green ammonia. OQ Alternative Energy is also among the backers of the Green Energy Oman clean fuels hub which will aim for a production capacity of 1.8 mn tons of green hydrogen annually, supplemented by 25 GW of renewables.
