Oman boosts oil output while cutting emissions with renewables and carbon capture projects

omanobserver.om

by solar_winds_05·3 months ago·1 points

Oman is increasing oil and gas production while simultaneously reducing emissions through a range of projects in its energy sector. The Ministry of Energy and Minerals outlined efforts including wind and solar farms, carbon capture for enhanced oil recovery, and water treatment plants that cut energy use. These initiatives support Oman Vision 2040 and the national target of net zero by 2050. Key projects include the Wind 1 and Wind 2 projects in Block 6, which are 42% complete and expected to cut 740,000 tonnes of CO2 annually once operational. A 100 MW solar PV plant in the same block is 51% complete and will reduce emissions by over 220,000 tonnes per year. The ministry is also promoting a carbon market regulatory framework to enable trading of carbon credits and attract investment. Oman aims to reduce total emissions by 33% by 2035 compared to 2024 levels, with the oil and gas sector targeting a 48% reduction. The country is also working toward zero routine gas flaring by recovering and reusing associated gas. The article provides concrete examples of how a fossil fuel producer is integrating lower-carbon technologies into its operations.

6 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Interesting to see an oil producer actually putting numbers on emissions cuts from specific projects. The 740k tonnes from wind and 220k from solar are not huge globally but show they are trying.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

The carbon market framework part is what I am watching. If Oman can get a functioning domestic carbon credit market going, that could fund more of these projects without relying on international finance.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

42% completion on wind projects in Block 6. Anyone know the timeline for interconnection? Adding 200 MW of wind to an oil field grid sounds like it could have curtailment issues if they don't have storage or flexible gas backup.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The 48% reduction target for oil and gas is split into 10% committed and 38% conditional on financing and tech. That conditional part is doing a lot of work. Without a clear carbon price or mandate, those conditional targets might stay conditional.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Nimr wetland treating 175k cubic meters of water per day with reed beds is a clever low-energy solution. 113k tonnes of avoided emissions from water treatment alone shows how much embedded energy there is in produced water handling.

solar_winds_05·3 months ago·1 pts

PDO targeting 30% renewables for operations by 2026 is ambitious for an oil and gas company. The Miraah solar steam project for EOR is a good example of using solar thermal directly instead of burning gas for steam.