Latest news with #SalimNasseralAufi
Observer
01-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Groundbreaking ceremony held for Marsa LNG Project in Sohar
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Marsa LNG project took place today in the Wilayat of Suhar, marking the launch of the largest joint investment between OQ Exploration and Production (OQEP) and TotalEnergies. The project is valued at $1.6 billion, with TotalEnergies having an 80% stake, while OQEP holds the remaining 20%. The event was held under the patronage of Eng. Salim Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, and attended by senior officials from TotalEnergies, international investors, and business leaders. The event was held under the patronage of Eng. Salim Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, and attended by senior officials from TotalEnergies, international investors, and business leaders. The Marsa LNG project reflects a strategic commitment to developing Oman's energy sector in a way that delivers long-term sustainable value. It also marks the company's expansion into a new energy domain, LNG bunkering, which aligns with its strategy to build a more sustainable energy future. The project is also expected to enhance in-country value (ICV). The implementation of the Marsa LNG project strengthens Oman's position as a regional hub for clean marine fuel and represents a strategic partnership between OQEP and TotalEnergies. This partnership is a model of successful international collaboration in the development of clean energy projects and will contribute to economic diversification policies, attracting foreign investment, and increasing In-Country Value in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. The project will supply ships with liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel, supporting the reduction of the maritime transport sector's carbon footprint through the establishment of low-emission infrastructure. Eng. Salim Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, said, 'The Ministry of Energy and Minerals reaffirms its commitment to supporting downstream energy projects as a key pillar for achieving economic integration across the sectors of industry, trade, ports, and logistics. The Marsa LNG project, a strategic partnership between OQ Exploration and Production and TotalEnergies, embodies this vision through the development of advanced infrastructure to supply ships with liquefied natural gas as a clean alternative fuel.' He added, 'This project represents a major step forward in the transition toward low-emission energy, reinforcing Oman's position as a reliable regional hub for clean marine fuel. It aligns with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 in sustainability and industrial innovation. We value this partnership and believe that downstream energy investments will drive economic growth, create high-quality and sustainable job opportunities, promote knowledge transfer, and empower national talent to meet the rising global demand for sustainable energy.' The project consists of both upstream and downstream components. The upstream component includes the production of 150 million standard cubic feet of gas per day from Concession Block 10, which will then be transported via OQ's gas network to Sohar Port. The downstream component includes the construction of an LNG plant with an annual capacity of one million tonnes, supported by a 300-megawatt solar power plant to meet the facility's annual energy needs. The Marsa LNG project include the establishment of a facility with emissions of less than 3 kilogrammes of CO₂ equivalent per barrel of oil equivalent to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the creation of the first LNG bunkering hub in the Middle East. The project will rely entirely on electric power, making it the world's lowest-emission LNG facility. It will set a new industrial benchmark for emissions, with its all-electric design and integration of a solar power plant expected to avoid more than 200,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually over the life of the project, compared to a conventional gas-fueled design. The Marsa LNG project will be powered by upstream gas production of 150 million cubic feet per day (Mcf/d), sourced from the Mabrouk North-East field in onshore Block 10. Marsa holds a 33.19 percent interest in the field, securing its entitlement and ensuring a reliable feedstock supply for the LNG liquefaction plant under development in Sohar. The downstream component features a state-of-the-art LNG liquefaction plant with a capacity of 1 million tonnes per year (Mt/y), currently under construction at Sohar Port. LNG production is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2028 and will primarily cater to the marine fuel market (LNG bunkering) in the GCC region. Notably, the Marsa LNG facility will be fully electrified and powered entirely by solar energy, positioning it among the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity LNG plants globally, with emissions below 3 kg CO2e/boe, nearly 90 percent lower than the industry average of 35 kg CO2e/boe. The full electrification of the LNG plant will lead to an over 6 percent increase in net production, with 99 percent of incoming natural gas converted into LNG. This setup offers greater operational flexibility and reduced maintenance costs. The site will also feature integrated infrastructure, including a 165,000 m³ LNG storage tank and a 500-metre jetty designed to accommodate bunkering vessels and LNG carriers for regional export. A dedicated 300 MWp solar power plant will be constructed over a 450-hectare area to meet 100 percent of the LNG plant's energy needs. The solar farm will comprise 500,000 high-efficiency bifacial photovoltaic modules with single-axis tracking, smart inverters, and an Energy Monitoring System (EMS) to ensure stable power generation. This initiative aligns with Oman's national energy strategy to increase the share of renewables in its energy mix to 30 percent by 2030, in support of Oman Vision 2040. Marsa LNG is set to be strategically located in Sohar at the entrance to the Gulf, a major global shipping corridor. TotalEnergies has commissioned a new LNG bunkering vessel, the Monte Shams, with a capacity of 18,600 m³. The vessel, named after Oman's Jabal Shams ('Mountain of the Sun'), will begin operations in mid-2028, joining TotalEnergies' growing fleet that includes Gas Agility (Rotterdam), Gas Vitality (Marseille), and Brassavola (Singapore). The Monte Shams will be outfitted with best-in-class technology, including an engine that reduces fuel consumption by 7 percent and ensures high combustion efficiency to limit methane emissions. The vessel will also feature continuous emission monitoring systems and will undergo regular leak detection and repair (LDAR) campaigns, aligning with the highest technical and environmental standards in maritime fuel operations. It will service a broad range of vessels, including containerships, tankers, and large cruise ships.
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman to continue oil and gas production with cleaner approach
MUSCAT: Oman's Minister of Energy and Minerals, Eng Salim Nasser al Aufi, emphasised the Sultanate of Oman's continued commitment to producing oil and gas as long as there is a global need for these resources, but with a key distinction: the nation will adopt cleaner, more sustainable methods for their production. Taking part in a panel discussion at the Advantage Oman Forum on Sunday, Al Aufi explained that Oman will balance its ambitious energy transition targets with a commitment to producing oil and gas in an environmentally responsible manner. "While we are not stopping or slowing down hydrocarbon production, we will do so in a much cleaner way," Al Aufi remarked. "For instance, we have set a target to eliminate routine flaring by 2030, and we are working to reduce methane emissions in the same timeframe." Al Aufi also shared details of Oman's ongoing energy transition, highlighting the integration of renewable energy solutions into the oil and gas sector. As part of this effort, oil and gas companies are being encouraged to adopt renewables to power their hydrocarbon operations, transitioning away from traditional electricity sources. Solar thermal energy is also being harnessed to support enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations in some parts of the country, he added. Methanation—the process of converting carbon dioxide into methane through hydrogenation—is another area under active exploration. An initial pilot project will focus on using CO₂ collected from industries and combining it with hydrogen to create synthetic natural gas for potential use in LNG production, Al Aufi explained. In his comments, Al Aufi also reaffirmed Oman's commitment to greener mobility solutions. The country is actively pursuing hydrogen-powered and electric vehicles to reduce the carbon impact of transport within the oil and gas sector. The government is in the final stages of assessing hydrogen trucking, while electric vehicles are being introduced for short-distance travel. Significantly, the government is also focusing on CO₂ capture and sequestration to reduce emissions from industries that are difficult to decarbonize. Through advanced projects, Oman is capturing CO₂ and storing it underground, with initial pilots showing that 60-70 per cent of the CO₂ injected stays sequestered, further advancing the country's climate goals. These initiatives are part of Oman's broader circular economy approach, where waste is minimized, and existing resources are re-used to create additional value. For example, gas that was once flared is now being used to generate electricity, cutting emissions while increasing efficiency across industrial operations. "We are not just reducing waste; we are creating new economic opportunities for Oman," Al Aufi concluded, underscoring the importance of balancing economic growth with sustainability. Also taking part in the panel discussion were Dr Abdullah al Amri, Chairman – Environment Authority, Hilmi Panigoro, President-Director – MedcoEnergi, and Luigi Di Maio, EU Special Representative for the GCC. Najla al Jamali, Chief Executive – OQ Alternative Energy, moderated the session. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
27-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman to continue oil and gas production with cleaner approach
MUSCAT: Oman's Minister of Energy and Minerals, Eng Salim Nasser al Aufi, emphasised the Sultanate of Oman's continued commitment to producing oil and gas as long as there is a global need for these resources, but with a key distinction: the nation will adopt cleaner, more sustainable methods for their production. Taking part in a panel discussion at the Advantage Oman Forum on Sunday, Al Aufi explained that Oman will balance its ambitious energy transition targets with a commitment to producing oil and gas in an environmentally responsible manner. "While we are not stopping or slowing down hydrocarbon production, we will do so in a much cleaner way," Al Aufi remarked. "For instance, we have set a target to eliminate routine flaring by 2030, and we are working to reduce methane emissions in the same timeframe." Al Aufi also shared details of Oman's ongoing energy transition, highlighting the integration of renewable energy solutions into the oil and gas sector. As part of this effort, oil and gas companies are being encouraged to adopt renewables to power their hydrocarbon operations, transitioning away from traditional electricity sources. Solar thermal energy is also being harnessed to support enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations in some parts of the country, he added. Methanation—the process of converting carbon dioxide into methane through hydrogenation—is another area under active exploration. An initial pilot project will focus on using CO₂ collected from industries and combining it with hydrogen to create synthetic natural gas for potential use in LNG production, Al Aufi explained. In his comments, Al Aufi also reaffirmed Oman's commitment to greener mobility solutions. The country is actively pursuing hydrogen-powered and electric vehicles to reduce the carbon impact of transport within the oil and gas sector. The government is in the final stages of assessing hydrogen trucking, while electric vehicles are being introduced for short-distance travel. Significantly, the government is also focusing on CO₂ capture and sequestration to reduce emissions from industries that are difficult to decarbonize. Through advanced projects, Oman is capturing CO₂ and storing it underground, with initial pilots showing that 60-70 per cent of the CO₂ injected stays sequestered, further advancing the country's climate goals. These initiatives are part of Oman's broader circular economy approach, where waste is minimized, and existing resources are re-used to create additional value. For example, gas that was once flared is now being used to generate electricity, cutting emissions while increasing efficiency across industrial operations. "We are not just reducing waste; we are creating new economic opportunities for Oman," Al Aufi concluded, underscoring the importance of balancing economic growth with sustainability. Also taking part in the panel discussion were Dr Abdullah al Amri, Chairman – Environment Authority, Hilmi Panigoro, President-Director – MedcoEnergi, and Luigi Di Maio, EU Special Representative for the GCC. Najla al Jamali, Chief Executive – OQ Alternative Energy, moderated the session.
