Adnoc Gas to turn methane into graphene and hydrogen in sustainable energy push

First-ever use of so-called ‘Loop’ technology at an operational gas-processing site, company says

Graphene is collected as part of Levidian's Loop system, which splits methane into atoms of hydrogen and carbon. Photo: Levidian

Adnoc Gas, in partnership with Baker Hughes, is to use technology at its Habshan Gas Processing Plant that converts methane from natural gas into graphene and hydrogen.

Levidian, a British climate technology firm, developed the patented “Loop” technology, which captures carbon from methane, the main component of natural gas, and converts it into graphene – a material expected to revolutionise industrial applications.

It is the first-ever use of the technology at an operational gas processing site, Adnoc Gas said.

The Loop unit can generate more than one tonne per year (tpa) of graphene and the same for hydrogen, with future large-scale installations projected to produce up to 15 tpa.

The Habshan complex’s five plants in Abu Dhabi have a total capacity to process 6.1 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day.

“By transforming methane into valuable graphene and clean hydrogen, we are unlocking new value from natural gas, driving decarbonisation and supporting the UAE’s industrial growth and climate ambitions,” said chief operations officer Mohamed Al Hashemi.

Data gathered during the pilot will be used to enhance the development of AI models and digital twins, aiming to reduce energy consumption and optimise graphene production in future installations across Levidian’s Loop units, Adnoc Gas said.

The graphene produced at the Habshan complex will be assessed and used by Adnoc’s technology team to explore potential applications.

Graphene's uses range from boosting the performance of electric vehicle batteries and solar panels to creating stronger, more durable materials such as concrete, tyres and polymer pipes.

Adnoc and Baker Hughes have signed several agreements to accelerate the development and commercialisation of low-carbon technologies.

In 2023, Adnoc awarded a contract valued at more than $400 million to Baker Hughes for the supply of all-electric compression systems for its LNG project in Ruwais.

“We’re seeing huge appetite within the market for our graphene and are excited to be working with Baker Hughes and Adnoc to unlock a new source of this super-material,” said John Hartley, chief executive of Levidian.

The announcement comes as oil and gas companies look for ways to control methane emissions, which have 80 times greater global warming potential than carbon dioxide.

After CO2 emissions, methane is the second largest human-produced contributor to climate change.

Climate experts see reducing the international output of methane as the most effective and least disruptive way to slow the increase in global temperatures over the next few decades.

Adnoc Gas recently boosted its capital expenditure target in response to a projected surge in natural gas demand within the UAE.

The Adnoc subsidiary plans to spend up to $15 billion from 2025 to 2029, an increase from its previous target of $13 billion.

Also on Thursday, Adnoc said it had partnered with two research organisations part of the UAE's Advanced Technology Research Council to explore the use of quantum technology for carbon storage and battery optimisation.

The partnership – with the Technology Innovation Institute and Aspire – will involve the use of quantum sensing technology to detect subtle environmental changes such as shifts in magnetic or electrical properties, enhancing safety, preventing leaks and improving the long-term reliability of carbon capture and storage systems.

Monitoring is crucial for ensuring the safe and secure storage of CO2 captured from industrial sources.

“At Adnoc, we are committed to leveraging the latest technologies and are proud to serve as a test bed for UAE-grown innovations,” said chief technology officer Sophie Hildebrand.