合成メタンの理論から現実へ：Oman LNGをケーススタディとして

Unofficial AI-generated summary based on the public title and abstract. Not an official translation.

🔬研究者:SNG/PtGの実プラントデータに基づく技術・経済性評価の実証例として参照可能。

🏢実務担当者:既存LNGインフラを活用した脱炭素オプションと商業化に必要な支援策の理解に有用。

🏛政策担当者:e-methane商業化には補助金・CO2価格等の政策支援が不可欠である点を政策設計に反映できる。

The path to Net Zero Emissions by 2050 requires decarbonization initiatives across all energy systems. For the LNG industry, synthetic methane gas (SNG) is not only decarbonization initiative, but also alternative technical approach to harness renewable energy into creating low carbon fuel. It is a Key Power-to-Gas (PtG) technology that enables the production of methane (CH4) synthetically by reacting renewable hydrogen with carbon dioxide (CO2) through exothermic Sabatier reaction. The resulting SNG can be liquefied into synthetic LNG, stored, transported through pipelines or LNG carriers, without the need for infrastructure modifications benefiting from established LNG infrastructure. Where required, SNG can also be reconverted into hydrogen offering additional system flexibility and resilience in future energy systems. Despite higher Energy conversion losses than methanol or ammonia without heat recovery, SNG remains competitive due to its higher volumetric energy density and the compatibility with existing LNG infrastructure, resulting in favorable delivered fuel costs at port. Furthermore, safety risk for SNG is well understood and much lower compared to other products. At Oman LNG, the availability of a high-purity CO2 stream (~99%) enhances the attractiveness of the concept by ensuring a high-purity captured CO2 feedstock. Accordingly, this paper investigates an integrated process value chain for (SNG) production by combining captured carbon dioxide (CO2) from the Acid Gas Removal Unit (AGRU) at Oman LNG with green hydrogen produced via electrolysis. The study further assesses the technical and economic feasibility of the proposed system, including its viability as a business case. Oman LNG (OLNG), in collaboration with Kanadevia Corporation (Japan)-Isothermal Methanation Technology provider, adopts a phased study approach to evaluate the deployment of SNG production. The methodology follows two parallel workstreams. First, a pre–Front-End Engineering Design (pre-FEED) study is conducted at pilot-plant scale to de-risk the isothermal methanation technology with green hydrogen production via electrolysis and a concentrated CO2 source, in a full value chain interfacing with existing OLNG infrastructure and with intermittent feedstock. Second, a commercial-scale plant concept study is assessed in parallel to evaluate scale-up potential and associated economic performance, thereby supporting informed investment decision-making. In conclusion, the resulting SNG is fully compatible with existing natural gas infrastructure, presenting potential decarbonization pathway for Oman LNG and offering a sustainable low carbon fuel production option for Oman. The study demonstrated that pilot-scale deployment can support the transition to commercial-scale investment by identifying and mitigating key technical, operational, and integration risks, thereby de-risking subsequent billion-dollar scale-up plant investment. However, SNG production remains CAPEX- and OPEX-intensive, resulting in relatively high levelized costs. Commercial-scale deployment will require optimized strategies to manage intermittent green hydrogen supply, as higher CAPEX and operating costs are expected to dominate overall economics. The economic attractiveness of SNG production can be further enhanced through technological development, supportive measures such as green subsidies and CO2 pricing mechanisms that provide additional revenue streams. These enablers improve the competitiveness and financial viability of commercial-scale deployment. This study provides a proof-of-concept for SNG production based on a real case study at Oman LNG, using actual operational parameters and specifications, including CO2 stream lab analysis measuring the purity and evaluating impact on existing LNG liquefaction process. The project is done in direct partnership with Isothermal Methanation Technology provider, Kanadevia where learnings are directly incorporated in commercial plant concept design and reactor design. The concept is evaluated within the existing plant layout, addressing process technical safety implications and managing interfaces with existing OLNG infrastructure. By integrating real operational data and plant constraints, the study advances the practical implementation of SNG production, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and industrial deployment.

• semanticscholar https://doi.org/10.2118/235679-msfirst seen 2026-11-05 05:50:04 · last seen 2026-11-06 05:23:22