Aramco Signs Agreements With US Companies To Boost Lower-Carbon Energy Solutions

The Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Aramco, has signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with prominent American firms to advance potential lower-carbon energy solutions. The agreements were formalised in the presence of Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al Saud, and US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm.

Aramco's MoUs include partnerships with Aeroseal, Spiritus, and Rondo. Following a successful trial of Aeroseal’s technology in Saudi Arabia, the two companies will explore opportunities to accelerate the deployment of Aeroseal’s technology in Aramco’s building fleet and other locations. They will also pursue joint testing of building ductwork and envelopes nationwide to identify key opportunities.

The collaboration aims to commercialise Aeroseal’s technology in novel applications such as gas pipelines and localise Aeroseal’s supply chain within Saudi Arabia. This initiative is expected to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of Aramco's operations.

With Spiritus, Aramco will explore opportunities in direct air capture. Spiritus’ innovative approach could address major cost challenges associated with current methods. The approach includes reducing energy needs, passive air collection, and a proprietary sorbent material that potentially removes carbon from the atmosphere at up to a tenfold increase in adsorption efficiency compared to existing methods.

Heat Batteries with Rondo

Aramco and Rondo have agreed to explore the deployment of heat batteries in Aramco’s global facilities. This initiative aims to reduce operating costs and support emissions reduction efforts. Engineering studies for the first industrial-scale deployment of Rondo Heat Batteries have commenced, which could contribute significantly to reducing emissions from Aramco facilities, with plans for subsequent scale-up to 1GWh.

Commitment to Net Zero Emissions

Ali A. Al-Meshari, Senior Vice President of Technology, Oversight & Coordination at Aramco, stated that the company aims to achieve net zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions across its wholly-owned operated assets by 2050. He emphasised that innovative technologies deployed at scale can help reduce the costs associated with lowering carbon emissions.

Al-Meshari highlighted that Aramco is investing in developing these technologies through its research and development (R&D), venture capital, and technology deployment programs. He noted that the technologies from Aeroseal, Spiritus, and Rondo have the potential for global scalability, particularly in the Middle East.

The MoUs signify a strategic move by Aramco to integrate advanced technologies into its operations, aiming for a more sustainable future while addressing global environmental challenges.

With inputs from WAM