SEOUL: An Omani delegation comprising a number of governmental and private agencies, headed by H.E. Mohsin bin Hamad al Hadhrami, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, is on a working visit to the Republic of Korea, followed by visits to the People’s Republic of China and Malaysia.
These visits aim to enhance the efforts of the Sultanate of Oman in green hydrogen investments, oil, gas and minerals in Oman, and to review the available opportunities with government officials and senior representatives of companies to enhance partnerships and cooperation opportunities to develop the in-country value chain.
During his visit to South Korea, the delegation met with a number of government officials and the private sector, and discussed with them opportunities for cooperation in the fields of renewable energy and investment in green hydrogen production, transportation and storage projects between the two countries, and finding ways to achieve common economic and environmental aspirations and goals.
A number of business meetings were also held with major Korean companies, most notably Samsung, Hyundai, POSCO and SK Engineering, which expressed their desire to invest in green hydrogen, oil, gas and minerals sectors in the Sultanate of Oman.
H.E. Mohsin al Hadhrami, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, explained that these visits come with the aim of the Sultanate of Oman being at the forefront of the leading countries in the production of green hydrogen in the world. He pointed out that the Ministry has developed an ambitious strategy to ensure the development of the green hydrogen economy, and is also working on promoting this sector because of its positive impact on diversifying energy sources and reducing carbon emissions to reach zero neutrality. The Ministry has also already started offering blocks for hydrogen production through the Hydrom platform, he noted.
H.E. Al Hadhrami said the Ministry is working with its partners in the sector to consolidate the position of the Sultanate of Oman in assuming a pioneering, reliable and competitive role in the global energy sector, and to enhance national capabilities by supporting national innovation, localizing industry and advanced technologies in the field, and developing national competencies with the development of the renewable energy and green hydrogen sector.
The delegation also participated in the Global Climate Industry Conference and the Global Green Hub Conference in Busan, Republic of Korea. At this event, Al Hadhrami led the Omani delegation at a special discussion between the two countries in green hydrogen. Taking part from the Korean side were Korean Minister of Environment Han Hwa-jin and others.
The two sides also discussed the latest technologies related to the added value chain of green hydrogen related to electrolysis, hydrogen transport and storage, fuel cells, uses of hydrogen in heavy industries, transport and methods of shipping it across oceans. In reducing carbon emissions, and the future of mobility.
The delegation also toured the Cheongsongdae factory, during which they were briefed on a pilot project for a pipeline specialized in transporting hydrogen gas by extracting it from the gas with carbon capture and converting it into blue hydrogen. They also visited steelmaker POSCO to study use of hydrogen in iron ore reduction.
Commenting on Oil & Gas cooperation with Korea, Dr Saleh bin Ali al Anbouri, Director General of Oil and Gas Exploration and Production, explained that these relations are a strategic partnership between the two sides. Korea is keen to secure a safe and continuous supply of energy of all kinds, while Oman is eager to attract capital funds, technology and expertise from Korea.
He said that this visit aims to attract Korean exploration and production companies, which have the financial capabilities and technical expertise to carry out these operations. A group of offshore concessions that will be launched in the third quarter of this year (ONA).
SOURCE: ONA
Date: 27 May 2023
