Oman's OQ, Kogas Tech ink agreement to explore green hydrogen opportunities

Oman's state-owned energy company OQ signed on Nov. 21 a memorandum of understanding with South Korea's Kogas Tech to explore opportunities in the green hydrogen industry as the Gulf state seeks to attract foreign investment to its clean energy projects.

"This MOU with KOGAS Tech is a step towards expanding the knowledge, technological and research pool on green hydrogen and we are confident that this cooperation will lead to innovative solutions in this field," OQ said on twitter Nov. 22.

Oman is in talks with investors to build green ammonia and hydrogen projects in three free zones, a government official said Aug. 23.

Oman's Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones is currently negotiating with several international companies that have expressed an interest in establishing projects for the production of green hydrogen and ammonia in Duqm, Salalah and Sohar, Jalal al-Lawati, an official from the authority, said in a statement.

The authority has reserved around 200 sq km of land for renewable energy projects at Duqm, Lawati said.

Hydrogen alliance

Oman, the biggest oil producer in the Middle East outside OPEC, is accelerating efforts to develop clean energy products as it seeks to supplement its energy industry as well as cater to the global demand for green ammonia and hydrogen.

The authority has already signed a land reservation agreement with India's renewables company ACME Solar Holding Private Limited to develop a green hydrogen and ammonia project in Duqm free zone in the south.

Meanwhile, German energy company Uniper will join Oman's Hyport Duqm renewable hydrogen project to provide engineering services and negotiate an exclusive offtake agreement for green ammonia from the facility, Uniper said on July 19.

InterContinental Energy also launched a 25-GW project in Oman focused on green ammonia exports, adding to its 26 GW project in development in Australia, the company had said May 18.

InterContinental Energy is partnering in a consortium with OQ and Kuwaiti government-backed energy investor and developer EnerTech on the project.

Oman's Ministry of Energy and Minerals, BP Oman, Shell Oman, and Total Energy Oman are among 13 members of the National Hydrogen Alliance that has been formed to promote production of the commodity in the country. The alliance will collaborate in the refining and transportation of hydrogen, as well as its domestic use and export.