Blue Horizons: CCS-based ammonia production in Oman

Shell selects KBR to provide synthesis technology

KBR will provide its licensed ammonia synthesis loop technology, plus an engineering design for a new million ton-per-year ammonia plant in Duqm, Oman. Shell will produce CCS-based hydrogen feedstock at its adjacent Blue Horizons plant, a project launched last year with support from Oman’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals.

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.

Jay Ibrahim, President KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions in his organisation’s official press release, 22 July 2024

In September last year, the Oman government lent its support to Shell to continue technical and commercial feasibility work for the Blue Horizons project. Shell has already identified a suitable sequestration site together with Petroleum Development Oman. Blue Horizons will be proximal to both the Port of Duqm and in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm – two locations where numerous other hydrogen, ammonia, and hydrogen derivative production projects have already been announced. Shell is also lead developer of the supergiant project Green Energy Oman, which will produce just over ten million tons per year of renewable ammonia per year.

As the developer of this aspired blue hydrogen and ammonia project, Shell continues to support Oman’s Vision 2040 and its ambition to reach Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050 by supplying low carbon fuels domestically and abroad.  Through pre-feasibility stage, we aim to mature the technical design, commercial arrangements with the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and customers and demonstrate the broader in-country benefits of the project.

We, at Shell, see blue and green hydrogen projects as reinforcing the strengths of each other in Oman and are pleased to be the lead developer also of the Green Energy Oman renewable hydrogen project.

Walid Hadi, Oman Shell Senior Vice President and Country Chair, in the Ministry of Energy and Minerals’ official press release, 25 Sept 2023

KBR tech to be further deployed

KBR has been awarded technology contracts in a series of recent ammonia projects:

• Ocior Energy’s renewable ammonia project in Odisha, India, producing 200,000 tons per year.
• Fortescue Future Industries’ renewable ammonia project in Holmanest, Norway, producing nearly 250,000 tons per year.
• LSB Industries & INPEX Corporation’s CCS-based mega-project near the Port of Houston, producing over one million tons per year.
• And a digital training simulator, which will be built at OCI Global’s CCS-based, mega-scale ammonia production facility in Beaumont, Texas.