logo
Pact inked to develop biogas project from organic waste

Pact inked to develop biogas project from organic waste

Muscat Daily04-06-2025
Muscat – Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (be'ah) and OQ Trading have signed a cooperation agreement to jointly develop a national project focused on the production of biogas (biomethane) and bio-carbon dioxide from organic waste at landfills and future biofacilities managed by be'ah.
The strategic partnership aims to transform environmental challenges into promising economic opportunities by harnessing approximately 20 million cubic metres of biogas extracted from be'ah-managed sites. The biogas is expected to comprise about 40% biomethane – a renewable fuel – and 60% bio-CO₂, both of which can be used in various sustainable industrial applications.
Under the agreement, the two entities will work on a roadmap that includes technical and economic feasibility studies, infrastructure assessments, and identification of commercial marketing opportunities for the project's outputs. The initiative is expected to create local investment opportunities in line with the goals of Oman Vision 2040.
Both companies affirmed that the collaboration represents an integrated model of national cooperation between the energy and environmental sectors. It brings together be'ah's expertise in waste and resource management with OQ Trading's global energy capabilities, strengthening Oman's position as a regional clean energy hub.
Engineer Tariq Ali Al Amri, CEO of be'ah, described the project as a new milestone in energy recovery from organic waste through sustainable technologies. 'This initiative demonstrates how environmental challenges can be turned into developmental and economic opportunities. The production of biogas and bio-CO₂ will contribute to reducing emissions, improving waste management efficiency, and providing alternative energy sources,' he said.
Said Talib Al Maawali, Executive Director for the Middle East at OQ Trading, called the project an attractive opportunity to diversify Oman's energy mix in support of the sultanate's carbon neutrality goals by 2050. 'This is a strategic nucleus for future waste-to-energy projects and will enhance clean energy value chains across the country,' he added.
The project reflects Oman's broader commitment to sustainable development and low-carbon energy solutions in line with global trends and national objectives.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

OQEP reports RO 317.4 million half-year EBITDA
OQEP reports RO 317.4 million half-year EBITDA

Observer

time3 days ago

  • Observer

OQEP reports RO 317.4 million half-year EBITDA

MUSCAT: OQ Exploration & Production (OQEP) posted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of RO 317.4 million ($825.6 million) for the first half of 2025, with revenue of RO 428.1 million ($1.1 billion), according to its audited results. Adjusted cash flow from operations rose 20 per cent to RO 289.2 million, while return on capital employed reached 24.4 per cent (25.8 per cent in Q2). The cash balance increased by 31 per cent year-on-year. The Board recommended basic quarterly dividends of RO 57.7 million for the second and third quarters of 2025, and a performance-linked H1 dividend of RO 44.2 million, to be paid in September and November. Operationally, average daily output was 222.3 thousand barrels of oil equivalent (kboe/d). Strategic projects advanced, including the early commissioning of the Basat C expansion, extension of the Block 53 exploration and production agreement to 2050, and the start of construction at the Marsa LNG project in Sohar. CEO Eng Ahmed bin Saeed al Azkawi said performance was strong despite softer oil prices, driven by higher sales volumes and efficiency gains, and reaffirmed OQEP's commitment to growth in line with Oman Vision 2040. Average daily volumes comprised 120.1 thousand barrels of oil and condensates and 102.3 thousand barrels of gas. The Basat C expansion added 37 thousand barrels per day of processing capacity, improved production facilities and increased well tie-in capacity. The Block 53 agreement extension adds an estimated 800 million barrels of oil to future output. The $1.6 billion Marsa LNG project with TotalEnergies will be among the lowest-carbon LNG terminals globally. New exploration agreements with Genel Energy and Turkish Petroleum Corporation cover promising concessions, with drilling planned in Blocks 54, 47 and 11. Up to $25 million will be invested over three years. Additional concessions (18, 36, 43A, 66 and 15) will be marketed through 2025–2026 to attract foreign investment, keeping production between 220,000 and 230,000 boe/d, while tightly managing costs. — ONA

Transformation through flexible policies, skills push and digital shift
Transformation through flexible policies, skills push and digital shift

Muscat Daily

time4 days ago

  • Muscat Daily

Transformation through flexible policies, skills push and digital shift

Salalah – The Government Transformation and Sustainable Leadership Conference, part of Labour Forum 2025, wrapped up on Tuesday in Salalah with a series of recommendations aimed at modernising the labour market, boosting national skills, advancing digital services and improving policy access. Delegates from Oman and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries agreed on four priority areas, including labour market governance. The recommendations called for stronger partnerships with the private sector, employers, sectoral committees and academic institutions to ensure policies reflect a range of perspectives. They urged a review of existing laws to create more flexible and inclusive employment policies that can adapt to changing needs, and the strengthening of governance committees to analyse challenges and propose solutions. Also in focus was developing national competencies and entrepreneurship. The forum urged the creation of specialised training programmes for graduates and jobseekers, particularly in green and digital sectors. It also called for greater support for startups and self-employment initiatives through funding, simpler procedures and innovation-friendly environments. 'Empowering young people and entrepreneurs means giving them the platform to share their success and connect with market,' one participant said. On digital transformation in the government sector, recommendations included investing in infrastructure, expanding the use of electronic authentication and signatures, and training leaders in digital management. The forum also proposed integrating digital skills into human resource development and extending insurance coverage to informal sector workers, including optional protection against occupational injuries and diseases. The final set of recommendations stressed on making the forum's outcomes widely accessible through an interactive online platform, enabling participants and stakeholders to review documents, recommendations and presentations. The aim, officials said, is to promote knowledge-sharing and strengthen expertise exchange. The three-day conference highlighted the fact that implementing proposals will require strategic public-private partnerships, ongoing innovation and capacity building in line with Oman Vision 2040. The concluding session also examined smart management in government. Discussions included the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing transparency, decision-making and digital transformation, with the Ministry of Labour presenting its Smart Management Project as an example of turning technology into opportunities. Key Recommendations Improve labour market governance through private sector and academic partnerships Review laws to create flexible, inclusive employment policies Launch specialised training in green and digital sectors Support startups and self-employment with funding Invest in digital infrastructure and expand e-authentication Extend insurance coverage to informal sector workers

White hydrogen adds new dimension to Oman's energy transition
White hydrogen adds new dimension to Oman's energy transition

Observer

time4 days ago

  • Observer

White hydrogen adds new dimension to Oman's energy transition

Oman has established itself as a regional leader in green hydrogen, driven by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and Hydrom's successful launch of large-scale projects, competitive auctions, and the securing of international investments. Building on this momentum, the country is now turning its focus to white hydrogen, also known as natural hydrogen, geologic hydrogen, or gold hydrogen. A recent agreement between Sohar Port and Freezone and the Swiss company Hynat marks a key step in evaluating and developing the full value chain of this resource. This reflects Oman's ongoing commitment to diversifying its hydrogen portfolio in line with Oman Vision 2040 and the National Strategy for an Orderly Transition to Net Zero. White hydrogen forms naturally through geological processes and is stored in subsurface reservoirs. It does not require carbon-intensive production, offering a low-emission alternative suitable for industrial use, mobility systems, and export. If discovered in viable quantities with high purity, white hydrogen could strengthen Oman's energy sustainability, support export growth, and position the country as a frontrunner in a rapidly evolving global sector. Developing white hydrogen comes with several technical challenges. It is difficult to estimate how much hydrogen exists underground, where it is located, and how easily it can be recovered with the required purity. Even in high concentrations, hydrogen is often mixed with gases like nitrogen or methane, which must be removed using efficient and affordable methods. Hydrogen's small molecular size makes it prone to leakage through fractures in rocks or poorly sealed wells. To manage this, Oman needs better tools for subsurface imaging, reservoir modeling, and real-time monitoring. Long-term exposure to hydrogen can also weaken metals used in drilling and pipelines, requiring stronger materials and site-specific designs. Large-scale production will depend on safe and cost-effective systems for extraction, compression, storage, and handling. Innovations in drilling techniques, sealing materials, and surface infrastructure will be critical to achieving technical reliability and cost control. To unlock investment, detailed pre-feasibility and feasibility studies are essential to evaluate geological potential, infrastructure needs, project economics, and environmental impact. Artificial intelligence can support these efforts by predicting gas composition profiles, refining subsurface models, and designing more effective separation processes. Combined with techno-economic modeling, life cycle assessment, and geospatial analysis, these tools will enhance decision-making and reduce investment risks. Academic institutions such as Sultan Qaboos University can play a central role in advancing white hydrogen development through interdisciplinary research and curriculum innovation. Research platforms like the Oil and Gas Research Centre and the Sustainable Energy Research Centre can foster collaboration across petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, earth sciences, and environmental science. Priority research areas in white hydrogen include techno-economic feasibility studies, sustainability assessment, advanced gas separation techniques, subsurface hydrogen migration, AI-assisted gas composition prediction, and geospatial resource mapping. These efforts can help shape regulatory frameworks, guide pilot project design, and support evidence-based investment planning. At the same time, modernizing academic programs through specialized elective courses in white hydrogen systems, energy geoscience, and techno-economic analysis can help prepare a skilled workforce to meet the demands of this emerging sector. Oman is already leading the region's energy transition. White hydrogen adds a strategic new dimension, opening pathways for low-emission innovation and industrial growth. Through accelerated feasibility studies, advanced R&D, and strong partnerships, Oman can turn this emerging resource into a key pillar of energy security and economic resilience.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store