Hydrogen has been identified as a key enabler for the decarbonization of the energy industry due to its versatility and potential to complement clean technologies across multiple industries. A secure, resilient hydrogen supply chain will be critical for capturing the economic opportunity in the hydrogen market. As technology innovation and investment continue in the hydrogen market, there is a road map driving toward generation of a profitable and lasting portfolio.
Technical Strength in Evolving Market
Our leadership in the oil, gas and chemicals industry gives us insight into the opportunities and limitations of the hydrogen market. Traditional hydrogen production methods can be carbon-intensive, driving innovation and investment to find low-carbon hydrogen solutions.
We have extensive experience with refining initiatives that require high-purity hydrogen to remove contaminants such as sulfur from refinery products. Other uses of hydrogen in the oil and gas industry include cracking heavy oils into more usable products, improving diesel cetane, saturating benzene rings and increasing the volume of products. We are also familiar with the use of hydrogen in chemicals production, including the Haber-Bosch process in which nitrogen and hydrogen are reacted to produce ammonia. Through our work on these and other applications of hydrogen systems in refining and chemicals, we are familiar with the design considerations required for safe and consistent hydrogen production, purification, compression and distribution.
Low-Carbon Hydrogen
Lowering the carbon intensity of hydrogen is dependent on the feedstock and the production method utilized. There are many traditional and emerging hydrogen production methods to produce low-carbon hydrogen, such as: steam methane reforming (SMR), autothermal reforming (ATR), and partial oxidation (POX) with carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS); or polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), alkaline and solid oxide electrolyzers. Whether you are seeking hydrogen for transportation fuels, chemical production or energy storage, we can provide solutions for your low-carbon hydrogen needs.
Distribution and Storage of Hydrogen
With new research and pilot programs in execution, there is prevailing optimism that the existing network of nearly 2.5 million miles of natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines can be used for blended hydrogen fuels. Our experienced pipeline and distribution teams can perform analysis of pipeline metallurgy and gas composition as well as studies for creative reuse of existing infrastructure in support of the growing hydrogen market.
The storage of hydrogen in liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) such as ammonia and methanol may have advantages for safely storing and transporting hydrogen. Our industry experience in hydrogen production, ammonia synthesis, cold-service storage, and pipelines and logistics gives us a comprehensive perspective on how these systems could be integrated into existing operations safely and efficiently, providing advantages to your bottom line.
