SLNG, Linde Gas team up for liquefaction, storage of CO2 from Jurong Island operations

Singapore LNG Corp and Linde Gas Singapore have teamed up to explore the feasibility and development of a carbon dioxide liquefaction and storage facility next to Singapore's sole liquefied natural gas terminal on Jurong Island, SLNG said in a Nov. 29 statement.

The partnership announcement comes a week after Singapore unveiled sustainability goals for one of the world's top oil and gas hubs at Jurong Island, spelling out plans to achieve over six million tonnes of carbon abatement annually from low-carbon solutions by 2050 and realizing at least two million tonnes of carbon capture potential by 2030.

The concept of the joint project anchors on drawing cold energy from SLNG terminal operations to liquefy carbon dioxide, leveraging on the partners combined expertise in carbon capture, liquefaction as well as cryogenic storage and handling solutions, the statement said.

The project targets to liquefy, store and transport CO₂ for the project partners, but could potentially be scaled up in the future to handle CO2 from more sources, with an open[1]access, multi-user concept," the statement added.

One company source said that the feasibility study of the project will review where to tap cold energy from handling of LNG – a cryogenic liquid chilled to -161 degree Celsius or lower – at the SLNG terminal for liquefying CO2.

If proven feasible, the project aims to cover CO2 emitted from broader Jurong Island operations including third-party activities at the oil and gas hub, the source added.

Recycling LNG cold energy

SLNG Corp's chief executive, Tan Soo Koong said that the operator of Singapore's sole LNG terminal upholds energy security as it top priotiy but has set its sights on catalysing new possibilities in the energy transition.

"This project allows us to realise SLNG's cold energy recovery objectives with a two-fold benefit – cold energy recovery with high efficiency, as well as effective liquefaction and storage to reduce CO₂ emissions," he added.

SLNG aims to cut 30% of its CO2 emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, according to a sustainability report published by the terminal operator last week.

Th Asia Pacific head of clean hydrogen and decarbonization at global industrial gases and engineering group, Linde said: "We believe that the application of Linde's knowledge and experience in carbon capture, liquefaction, and storage together with SLNG's cold energy capability will be a key innovative and efficient enabler for Singapore's decarbonization plans."

Singapore's Economic Development Board announced the sustainability goals for Jurong Island in a report released on Nov. 23.

The Sustainable Jurong Island report details the government plans to transform Jurong Island into a sustainable energy and chemicals park that operates sustainably and exports sustainable products globally.

In addition to the carbon capture target, the EDB aims to increase Jurong Island's output of sustainable products by 1.5% from 2019 levels and ensure that refineries and crackers in Singapore are in the top quartile of the world in terms of energy efficiency by 2030.

The report forms part of a broader Singapore's energy transition plan to halve its greenhouse gas emissions from a projected peak in 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions as soon as viable in the second half of this century.