KBR’s technology selected for hydrogen and ammonia project in Oman

Shell has chosen KBR’s ammonia synthesis loop technology for its Blue Horizons low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia project in Duqm, Oman.

Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide licensed proprietary engineering design for the 3,000 metric tons per day ammonia plant utilizing hydrogen produced by Shell’s blue hydrogen technology.

Jay Ibrahim, President of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions, said: “We are excited to work with Shell on this breakthrough project in Oman and contribute towards achieving Oman’s Vision 2040 targets. Our blue ammonia technology allows our clients to implement their energy transition projects with a cost-competitive solution at the lowest carbon intensity.”

In 2022, Oman announced a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and began reducing fossil fuel use in its domestic energy mix. The country aims to produce at least 1 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen a year by 2030, up to 3.75 million tonnes by 2040 and up to 8.5 million tonnes by 2050.

To note, this July, KBR was also awarded an advisory consulting contract by Kuwait Oil Company for the development of a country-wide “masterplan” for the production of 17 GW of renewables and 25 GW of green hydrogen by 2050.

Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide advisory consulting services to develop a phased strategy for the deployment of wind and solar power, combined with power storage capability. The renewable power capability will be linked to the production of green hydrogen for internal industrial use, as well as for export purposes.

The work is expected to be performed over the next 18 months, with KBR developing a market analysis, techno-commercial feasibility studies, as well training of Kuwaiti nationals.