Aramco develops the first synthetic fuel plant in Saudi Arabia

Weather of Arabia - Saudi Aramco intends to develop the first synthetic fuel factory in the city of NEOM on the Red Sea coast, and a cooperation agreement was signed between Aramco and “INOWA” , which is part of NEOM, and which specializes in the field of energy and water, with the aim of establishing the first experimental factory. For synthetic fuel, it produces 35 barrels per day of synthetic gasoline with low emissions. The project is expected to be implemented at the Hydrogen Innovation and Development Center of Inoa Company. This project aims to study the technical and economic aspects of producing synthetic gasoline from renewable hydrogen and extracted carbon dioxide, and reflects Both companies are committed to diversification in the field of energy and improving fuel quality in an environmentally friendly manner.

The first synthetic fuel factory in Saudi Arabia

Under the joint development agreement, NEOM will build the plant, while Aramco and Innoa will co-manage operations and invest in related research programs. Synthetic fuel technology features the concept of a circular carbon economy, as it can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 70% , according to an evaluation. Overall life cycle compared to conventional fuel.

Upon completion of the project, the first synthetic fuel plant in Saudi Arabia will be able to produce 12 tons of synthetic methanol per day using green hydrogen and carbon dioxide, using advanced technologies developed by ThyssenKrupp. The synthetic methanol is then converted into low-carbon gasoline using advanced technology. Exxon Mobil Company.

Green hydrogen will also be produced at the Hydrogen Innovation and Development Center using a 20-megawatt electrolyser powered by renewable energy. Inowa ’s construction of this center demonstrates the great potential it can offer to the region and efforts to generate energy in a clean and sustainable manner.

Synthetic fuels in Saudi Arabia

Aramco has been exploring low-carbon synthetic fuel technology for many years and the pilot plant in NEOM is the product of extensive research and development efforts aimed at improving synthetic fuel production.

Inowa sees synthetic fuels as a key component of its future plans for a circular carbon economy, contributing to reducing emissions and achieving green technology for future projects on a large scale.

For his part, Executive Vice President of Technology and Innovation at Saudi Aramco, Ahmed Al-Khowaiter, said:

“Synthetic fuels can play an important role in supporting the decarbonisation of the global vehicle fleet, and we are excited to collaborate with our partners to explore potential routes towards achieving this ambition.”

Peter Terium, CEO of Inowa, described the partnership as a milestone, noted the Kingdom’s role in global leadership in the field of a circular carbon economy powered by green hydrogen, and praised the unprecedented opportunities to develop sustainable and leadership technologies.

Roland Kapner, Executive Director of Hydrogen and Green Fuels at Inowa, pointed out that the project is a clear example of implementing a circular carbon economy, and expresses Inowa’s support for the Kingdom’s efforts to expand in the field of climate business and promote innovation using the latest technologies.

Low carbon fuel

The integrated synthetic fuel facility will demonstrate the technical and commercial feasibility of the synthetic gasoline value chain, and is one of the flagship projects included within Saudi Aramco's broader research, development and pilot efforts to achieve low-carbon synthetic fuels.

In 2022 , Saudi Aramco announced a partnership with Formula 2 and 3 to explore the possibility of introducing synthetic components into the fuel formula to supply energy to the car racing series. In a separate context, Aramco and Repsol plan to explore the possibility of producing low-carbon synthetic diesel (electric diesel) and jet fuel for engines. And planes.

Saudi Aramco's Transportation Technologies Research and Development Center, which has a presence in Paris, Detroit, and Shanghai, and its headquarters in Dhahran, is working on developing multiple technologies aimed at enabling a more reliable, affordable and sustainable transportation future.

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Sources:

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