Japan and Oman are set to start mass production of synthetic methane, also known as e-methane, from hydrogen and carbon dioxide (CO2) by 2026, as reported by Nikkei Asia on March 10. Japanese industrial and engineering company Hitachi Zosen has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with stated-backed Oman LNG, to achieve the commercialization of an e-methane manufacturing project in Oman. The project will focus on lowering the cost of producing synthetic methane, a low-carbon fuelcreated by combining green hydrogen with CO2collected from the air or industrial sites. Hitachi Zosen will provide the equipment and catalytic materials needed to synthesize hydrogen and carbon dioxide efficiently. The CO2 used for synthesis will be captured from Oman LNG’s existing gas plants.

E-methane is emerging as a promising solution to decarbonizing Japan’s hard-to-abate sectors such as power generation, chemical, and industrial manufacturing. As a carbon-neutral alternative to natural gas, e-methane can be integrated into existing gas infrastructure without further process, giving it an advantage over hydrogen. Japan’s three major gas utilities have set out targets to replace 1% of city gas sales with e-methane in 2030, aiming to leverage this fuel to mitigate their carbon footprints. Other Japanese companies have also joined research on e-methanetechnologies. Energy companies Inpex and Osaka Gas plan to start producing e-methane in fiscal 2025, while Tokyo Gas and Mitsubishi aim to commence operation of its large-scale e-methane factory in the US by 2029.

Sources:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Energy/Japan-and-Oman-to-mass-produce-e-methane-in-decarbonization-push

https://gaspathways.com/hitachi-zosen-oman-lng-collaborate-on-methanation-2614

https://www.santos.com/news/santos-and-tokyo-gas-to-collaborate-on-carbon-neutral-e-methane-in-australia/

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Energy/Tokyo-Gas-teams-up-with-Santos-for-Australia-green-methane-study