WORLD NEWS UK | JM
and ClimeCo form alliance
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ohnson Matthey (JM) and ClimeCo, a global climate solutions company, have announced that they are collaborating to accelerate the deployment of enhanced carbon capture solutions for industry. Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the two companies will help syngas producers, initially in hydrogen and methanol, to build the business case for reducing CO2 emissions from existing processes by up to 95%.
Syngas producers are responsible for approximately 70% of CO2 emissions in the chemicals sector. Jane Toogood, Catalyst Technologies Chief Executive at JM, said the collaboration would “enable industries such as chemicals and refining [...] to quickly understand the regulatory frameworks, accelerate capital decisions for decarbonisation programmes and easily deploy proven technology solutions that can have an impact today, to create a cleaner world.”
The Netherlands | Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk
to produce more sustainable chemicals
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hell Chemicals Park Moerdijk, a subsidiary of Shell plc, has announced a new investment that supports its plan to transition the chemicals park into a site able to serve the changing needs of its customers. Its customers desire more low-carbon products, as well as products made using recycled material. Shell Moerdijk will build a new pyrolysis oil upgrader unit that improves the quality of pyrolysis oil, a liquid made from hard-to-recycle plastic waste, and turns it into chemical feedstock for its
China | LNG
C
plants. The investment marks a first major step in transitioning the park within 10 years, by increasing the use of circular and bio-based feedstocks, growing its offer of low-carbon products, and becoming net zero through the application of hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS). To achieve these ambitions, Shell intends to invest billions in Shell Moerdijk’s chemical complex over the next decade, subject to investment decisions and within existing capital allocation frameworks.
UAE | ADNOC and
TotalEnergies sign strategic partnership agreement
A
DNOC and TotalEnergies have signed a strategic partnership agreement to deepen their long-standing partnership and explore new opportunities for growth across the energy value chain. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will explore opportunities to collaborate in areas of mutual interest, including in gas growth, carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS), and trading and product supply. This strategic partnership agreement follows the signing of the UAE-France Comprehensive Strategic Energy Partnership (CSEP), which is focused on enhancing energy security, affordability and decarbonisation, as well as progressive climate action ahead of COP28. TotalEnergies currently collaborates with ADNOC across the full value chain: offshore and onshore exploration, development and production of oil and gas, gas processing and liquefaction, product marketing, research and development (R&D), and National Talent development.
imports to decline
hina’s LNG imports are set to fall over 14% y/y to 69 million t in 2022, the largest decline since it began LNG imports, reports Wood Mackenzie. After solid growth in 2021, China’s gas and LNG demand is expected to slow down in 2022. China’s gas demand (sum of production and net imports) in 2Q22 decreased 5% y/y. The weakening gas demand was due to a confluence of factors including
economic slowdown, rising gas import prices, policy support for clean coal, and a warmer-than-usual winter. Wood Mackenzie Research Director, Miaoru Huang, said: “Gas-fired power was a major contributor to the absolute decline in volumes. In addition to the factors mentioned earlier, the sector was pressured by growth in use of renewables.”
On the supply side, domestic production increased by 4.9% y/y in the first half of the year, while pipeline imports increased by 11%. LNG imports totalled 31 million t, down 21% y/y. Huang said: “Chinese buyers have minimised their exposure to costly spot LNG. Spot purchases were muted, and reportedly, some Chinese players resold cargoes into the European market.” HYDROCARBON
ENGINEERING
5
August 2022
