Muscat – OQ Gas Networks (OQGN), the sole transporter of natural gas in Oman and owner of the sultanate’s gas transportation network, has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom) to study the development of green hydrogen network infrastructure in the sultanate.

This partnership establishes a strong collaboration and is the first step towards the development of an optimal, efficient, and cost-effective solution for green hydrogen transportation in Oman, OQGN said in a press statement.

OQGN will leverage on its expertise and capabilities to provide shared infrastructure plans allowing green hydrogen developers to capitalise on the substantial technical and economical synergies and benefits of a shared infrastructure.

OQGN, a part of Oman’s global integrated energy group OQ, is well placed to be at the center of the development of green hydrogen network initiatives. The company will help explore the best options for the development and construction of green hydrogen pipeline network infrastructure to transport green hydrogen from Hydrom’s renewables and clean hydrogen blocks to the downstream plants at the special economic zones and ports, as well as linking the network across governorates and explore potential interconnection with neighboring countries – as part of Hydrom’s master plan.

Furthermore, the partnership will help to facilitate study outcomes, which will enable local company talents to develop optimal, efficient, and cost-effective solutions for green hydrogen transportation in Oman, advancing the green hydrogen economy and attracting international investments.

The agreement was formalised as part of OQGN’s efforts to drive clean energy initiatives and is a direct reflection of OQGN’s deep commitment to developing clean energy infrastructure, as well as an acknowledgment of OQGN’s capabilities and expertise by key stakeholders in the hydrogen ecosystem.

Mansoor Ali al Abdali, managing director of OQGN, said, “OQGN’s core focus is on clean energy infrastructure. This MoU reflects both the importance of green hydrogen for Oman and our intention to play a leading role in green hydrogen transportation. We are delighted to be formalising our relationship with Hydrom, which has already achieved a great deal in its first year of existence.”

Dr Firas Ali al Abduwani, acting managing director at Hydrom, said, “The huge potential and rich natural resources for green hydrogen in Oman can only truly be captured through the development of robust and reliable infrastructure. We are therefore delighted to be signing this MoU with OQGN. We are confident there are many other similar opportunities that we are hoping to explore with other national and international infrastructure providers, which will benefit the green hydrogen developers by providing a reliable cornerstones, supporting Hydrom’s vision of creating a green hydrogen hub in Oman.”

Hydrom was established last year and is the entity orchestrating the national interest in green hydrogen, which includes operating competitive auction process for lands to be allocated for green hydrogen projects and orchestrating and master planning the Common Use Infrastructure, which includes hydrogen networks. Hydrom is fully owned subsidiary of Energy Development Oman (EDO) and is regulated by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.

OQGN is the exclusive operator of Oman’s gas transportation system. As the backbone of the country’s energy ecosystem, OQGN is a critical infrastructure player for the sultanate, and aims to champion the management and development of energy infrastructure through innovative and sustainable solutions. OQGN has 450 talents that are responsible for overseeing the smooth running of more than 4,030km of gas pipeline network.