Muscat – To mitigate CO2 emissions resulting from major industrial projects and boost its decarbonisation efforts, Oman is focusing on the development of the carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) field in the country.

CCUS is a rapidly growing global technology for capturing large volumes of CO2, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, especially in sectors with significant CO2 emissions that are challenging to decarbonise.

According to the Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MEM), CCUS technology presents promising solutions to reduce carbon emissions and achieve net-zero emissions, particularly in Oman’s oil and gas production sector, industries and fossil fuel-based power generation plants.

Oman’s National Strategy for Orderly Transition to Net Zero has outlined CCUS will contribute to a substantial (approximately 15%) reduction in domestic emissions, thus facilitating the sultanate’s journey towards net zero by 2050.

On Wednesday, MEM signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in the field of CCUS and blue hydrogen development in Oman with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), Oman Shell, OQGN, and Occidental of Oman (Oxy). The signing ceremony was held under the patronage of H E Mohsin bin Hamed al Hadhrami, MEM Undersecretary.

The MoC aims to establish an expertise centre contributing to the development of the regulatory and strategic framework for CCUS. The cooperation is part of government-led initiatives focused on carbon capture technologies and blue hydrogen production to achieve Oman’s energy transition strategy and net zero goal by 2050.

According to the ministry, the MoC represents a continuation of efforts to find practical solutions for reducing carbon emissions and enabling pioneering initiatives and future projects related to carbon capture and blue hydrogen production.

‘These objectives can be achieved by forming a specialised House of Expertise to conduct a comprehensive techno-economic assessment in Oman and contribute to the development of the regulatory framework and strategies necessary for the advancement of this sector,’ MEM noted in its statement.

The House of Expertise will consist of a team from MEM and partners with experience in the fields of energy, CCUS and blue hydrogen development.

Dr Firas bin Ali al Abduwani, Director General of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen at MEM, said, “The study to be carried out by the House of Expertise in the field of carbon capture and blue hydrogen production will complement the ongoing efforts of the public and private sectors to reduce carbon emissions. This will involve conducting a comprehensive techno-economic and legislative assessment with the aim of shaping the future legal framework and establishing appropriate regulations to facilitate investments in this field in line with Oman’s ambition to achieve net zero emissions.”