MUSCAT: In a groundbreaking collaboration with the US Department of Energy, the Ministry of Energy and Minerals of the Sultanate of Oman recently organised a pivotal technical workshop on geologic hydrogen. This event was attended Eng Mohsen bin Hamad al Hadhrami, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, and Senior Advisor to the US Department of Energy, Dan Milstein. Notably, Leslie Ordman, the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the United States of America in Oman, graced the workshop with her presence, alongside representatives spanning the public, private, and academic sectors, as well as key figures from investment and research institutions.
The workshop is part of a broader initiative born from the strategic dialogue established between the Sultanate of Oman and the United States of America, a development stemming from the visit of the Secretary of State of the United States in 2022. This multifaceted dialogue, inaugurated in February 2023 in Muscat, covers areas such as trade and investment, alternative energy, education, culture, and science. Of particular note, this Geologic Hydrogen workshop stands as a pioneering governmental-level event in the domain of geologic hydrogen.
At its core, the workshop aimed to foster an exchange of knowledge and ideas regarding geologic hydrogen, facilitate policy discussions related to its exploration, and nurture commercial and academic partnerships between Oman and the United States in the realm of cutting-edge energy research.
The focal point of the workshop was hydrogen, a natural substance formed deep within the Earth. Particular attention was given to the opportunities, methodologies, and strategies associated with its exploration and extraction. The event also delved into the natural hydrogen emissions occurring worldwide, including within Oman, notably in the Hajar Mountains. These emissions often arise from the interaction of groundwater with iron-rich minerals, such as olivine rocks abundant in Oman. These rocks, characterised by unique fractures, have the potential to facilitate the release of hydrogen to the Earth's surface.
Importantly, geologic hydrogen emerged as a cost-effective and eco-friendly energy source, extracted through drilling procedures similar to other gases, once substantial reserves are discovered. Nevertheless, the field requires further research and development to unlock its technical and commercial potential fully. Many participants raised the prospect of geological hydrogen being a renewable resource due to the natural underground processes involved. They also discussed various methods to stimulate its production and ongoing research in this burgeoning field.
During the workshop, the Ministry of Energy and Minerals announced its acceptance of research and experimental proposals for geological hydrogen exploration within Oman, inviting interested parties to contribute to this innovative endeavour. Participants also commended Oman's commitment to environmental sustainability, particularly its strides in advancing the renewable energy sector and clean hydrogen initiatives.
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