Gas turbines are one of the most common methods to provide power for oil-and-gas downstream, processing, and myriad other industry operations, which makes them an ideal target for sustainability advocates looking to reduce carbon emissions. One such roadmap laid out by two industry leaders is set to take a multi-valent approach to the challenge, which will include the potential use of hydrogen, ammonia, and carbon capture solutions to reduce carbon emissions from power generation with a goal of achieving net zero by 2050.
A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TAKES SHAPE
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and GE Gas Power are entering into a joint cooperation initiative to develop a decarbonization roadmap that includes reducing carbon emissions from gas turbines used to power ADNOC’s downstream and industry operations, including at the world-scale Ruwais Industrial Complex, in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Ahmed Omar Abdulla, senior vice president, refining and petrochemical asset management, ADNOC says, “ADNOC’s initiative with GE reinforces our commitment to support the UAE’s goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and our ongoing commitment to decarbonizing our operations.”
This initiative further supports the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and strengthens ADNOC’s position as one of the world’s least carbon-intensive oil and gas producers. The announcement follows the recent clean power agreement between ADNOC and Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) and enhances ADNOC’s pathway to decarbonization while enabling sustainable future growth.
“This agreement is in line with our energy transition strategy and underscores our commitment to sound environmental stewardship while meeting the needs of the world’s growing energy demands,” adds Abdulla. “Working together with GE to develop sustainable solutions for power generation also furthers our ambitions to progress hydrogen as a future fuel and will leverage our industry-leading capabilities in carbon capture and storage.”
REAL-WORLD INNOVATION AT WORK
Joseph Anis, president and CEO of GE Gas Power Europe, Middle East, and Africa, says, “Energy-intensive industries such as oil and gas, smelters, petrochemicals, aviation, and others, will play an important role in the UAE’s energy transition.”
Under the terms of the initiative, ADNOC and GE will explore using hydrogen and hydrogen-blended fuels for lower-carbon power generation; evaluating introducing ammonia as a fuel to power ADNOC’s GE gas turbines; integrating carbon capture solutions at ADNOC’s power generation facilities; and joint research and development (R&D) programs to develop innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions from gas-based power generation.
“Hydrogen and hydrogen-blended fuels, ammonia, and carbon capture solutions offer pathways to near-zero carbon emissions from gas power generation, without compromising on the reliability of electricity supplies,” Anis adds. “This is critical for industrial growth. We are honored to work with ADNOC to explore solutions to decarbonize their gas turbines and thank them for their trust in us.”
ONE PART OF A LARGER SUSTAINABILITY GOAL
The roadmap is a continuation of ADNOC and GE’s cooperation to enhance the performance and sustainability of ADNOC’s operations. ADNOC and GE recently enhanced the efficiency and performance of ADNOC Refining’s General Utilities Plant (GUP) in Ruwais, with upgrades to installed GE gas turbines increasing power output while utilizing the same amount of fuel.
Dr. Dalya Al Muthanna, president of UAE and global chief of strategy and operations, GE international markets, adds, “Through the MOU with ADNOC, we are delighted to bring our industry-leading hydrogen experience to this collaboration. There are more than a hundred GE gas turbines globally that have operated on fuels that contain hydrogen, accumulating over eight million operating hours, and we look forward to working toward our shared energy transition vision with the UAE.”
The GUP provides electricity and water to the entire Ruwais Industrial Complex. ADNOC is also enhancing the performance and sustainability of the GUP with the development of a waste heat recovery facility. Upon completion of this facility in 2023, the innovation will increase the thermal efficiency of the site by nearly 30 percent.
LOOKING AHEAD
For its part, GE has contributed to the development of the energy sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for over eighty years. Today, GE-built power generation technologies are installed in up to 350 sites across the region, generating up to half of the GCC’s power. This partnered roadmap is the next step in expanding the company’s sustainability goals.
ADNOC UP CLOSE
ADNOC is a leading diversified energy and petrochemicals group wholly owned by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. ADNOC’s objective is to maximize the value of the Emirate’s vast hydrocarbon reserves through responsible and sustainable exploration and production to support the United Arab Emirates’ economic growth and diversification. For more information, visit www.adnoc.ae.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Abeer Masood is communications director for GE Gas Power (MENA) and can be reached at abeer.masood@ge.com. GE Gas Power is a world leader in natural gas power technology, services, and solutions. Through relentless innovation and continuous partnership with our customers, the company is providing more advanced, cleaner, and efficient power that people depend on today and building the energy technologies of the future. With the world’s largest installed base of gas turbines and more than 670 million operating hours across its installed fleet, GE offers advanced technology and a level of experience that’s unmatched in the industry to build, operate, and maintain leading gas power plants. For more information, visit www.ge.com/power/gas.
MODERN PUMPING TODAY, February 2022
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