Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar, INPEX CORPORATION, Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., and Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. have announced the signing of a collaboration agreement to conduct a joint feasibility study on e-methane production in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Since 17 July 2023, Masdar and INPEX have been working together on a study in Abu Dhabi to manufacture e-methane utilising inexpensive renewable energy.
Tokyo Gas and Osaka Gas have recently joined this initiative, with plans to offtake e-methane in quantities equal to 1 per cent of each company’s annual city gas demand.
Tokyo Gas and Osaka Gas aim to introduce e-methane to cover 1 per cent of their respective annual city gas demand by 2030 to further increase the introduction volume from the total of their worldwide projects by 2050.
The four partners will evaluate the economics of producing and procuring feedstocks, such as green hydrogen and CO2, as well as the production and transportation of e-methane.
The overall reductions in CO2 emissions will also be evaluated.
E-methane is compatible with existing LNG infrastructure, such as LNG tankers and terminals, as well as city gas infrastructure — including pipelines and consumer gas equipment, limiting social costs associated with its introduction.
Hence, it is considered a pragmatic carbon-neutral or lower-carbon solution for thermal sectors where electrification is a challenge.
It can also be utilised in the power generation and transportation sectors.
Masdar, INPEX, Tokyo Gas and Osaka Gas aim for the early establishment of an e-methane supply chain from the UAE to Japan to contribute to the UAE and Japanese governments’ shared goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
