PDO, OQ conduct hydrogen-based heavy mobility feasibility study

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), the nation’s biggest Oil & Gas producer, is collaborating with OQ Group – the integrated energy group of the Sultanate of Oman, in exploring the feasibility of utilizing hydrogen to power the sizable fleet of heavy duty vehicles involved in oilfield operations.

The hydrogen-powered Heavy Mobility Feasibility Study seeks to initially leverage excess (mainly grey) hydrogen production from OQ operations to develop a mobility value chain catering to heavy vehicles operating in PDO’s concession area. Thereafter, upon the availability of green hydrogen in Oman, the transition to zero-carbon hydrogen is envisioned, according to key project member.

Ahad al Ghaithi (pictured), member of PDO’s Hydrogen Team, said the study – currently in a preliminary stage – aims to support the decarbonization of PDO’s heavy vehicle operations which account for around 65 per cent of total emissions from the energy company’s mobility operations.

Presenting details of the study at the recent Green Hydrogen Summit Oman forum, Ahad said the initiative comes against the backdrop of an exponential increase in the adoption of hydrogen-powered fuel cell technologies in heavy haulage around the world.

Hydrogen demand in the transportation industry climbed around 50 per cent during the 2019 – 2021 timeframe. The share of hydrogen consumption for mobility solutions is projected to account for 38 per cent of total hydrogen demand in 2040, rising to 43 per cent in 2050. In 2021 alone, the growth of hydrogen fuel cell trucks increased 60-fold, underscoring the strength of hydrogen demand in the mobility sector, she stated.

“Yes, the technology has some positive attributes, but it's not available on the market yet. And so through such joint collaboration, we thought PDO is positioned to enable this in the local market because it's got the rationale and the mass to go ahead with it,” Ahad remarked.

In her presentation, Ahad highlighted examples of a number of advanced economies that are going ahead with the construction of hydrogen refueling stations to drive their respective green energy transitions.

But she stressed the need for “harmonised solutions” particularly in relation to interconnectivity between gaseous high-pressure trailers and hydrogen refueling stations. Other aspects of the hydrogen mobility value chain that need to be streamlined are operating procedures, transfer protocols and controlled schemes, she said.

“The end goal here is to determine to what extent standardising this interface is achievable, as well as desirable,” she added.