Baker Hughes and PAO NOVATEK have signed a cooperation agreement on Feb. 1 aimed at reducing carbon emissions from natural gas and LNG production. The two companies will cooperate on the development and implementation of innovative compression and power generation technology solutions from Baker Hughes for NOVATEK’s LNG projects, supporting NOVATEK’s emissions reduction, raising efficiency and supporting long-term sustainability.
The agreement will begin with a pilot program to introduce hydrogen blends into the main process for natural gas liquefaction to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from LNG facilities, including NOVATEK’s Yamal LNG complex. Baker Hughes will provide world-class engineering and turbomachinery equipment to convert existing natural gas liquefaction trains at Yamal LNG to run on hydrogen blends rather than solely run with methane from feed gas.
“We are working with NOVATEK to introduce the first solution for decarbonizing the core of the LNG production—the turbines driving the liquefaction process,” Lorenzo Simonelli, Baker Hughes’ chairman and CEO, said. “The combination of our world-class expertise in LNG engineering and deep experience with hydrogen compression technology positions us to further lead in reducing emissions from LNG operations and further support the energy transition.”
NOVATEK is Russia’s largest independent natural gas producer, producing more than 77 billion cubic meters per year (bcm/yr) with about 9 bcm/yr of LNG sold in international markets. The three-train Yamal LNG project, located on the Siberian Arctic coast, shipped its first LNG cargo in 2017 and reached full capacity under its current design in 2018. Its liquefaction trains currently employ the Frame 7/1EA single-shaft gas turbine provided for this project by Baker Hughes, which can be retrofitted to operate with hydrogen blends and is a preferred turbine for LNG plants globally. Hydrogen blends present significant opportunities for the natural gas sector to cut emissions for LNG turbomachinery equipment, the main mechanical driver of the liquefaction process.
Baker Hughes has a long history of collaboration with NOVATEK. Baker Hughes is supplying LM9000 aeroderivative gas turbines for NOVATEK’s Arctic LNG 2 project and completed the First Engine to Test (FETT) milestone in mid-2020 followed subsequently by all three string tests for power generation and mechanical drive in fourth-quarter 2020. The LM9000 is the world’s most efficient simple cycle aeroderivative gas turbine with best-in-class availability, efficiency and lowest NOx emissions, making it ideal for LNG operators to reduce their total cost of ownership and overall carbon footprint.
Recommended Reading
DUG GAS+: Chesapeake in Drill-but-don’t-turn-on Mode
2024-03-28 - COO Josh Viets said Chesapeake is cutting costs and ready to take advantage once gas prices rebound.
Exclusive: Can NatGas Save the 'Fragile' Electric Grid?
2024-02-28 - John Harpole, the founder and president of Mercator Energy, says he is concerned about meeting peak electric demand and if investors will hesitate on making LNG export facilities investment decisions after the Biden administration's recent LNG pause, in this Hart Energy LIVE Exclusive interview.
Turning Down the Volumes: EQT Latest E&P to Retreat from Painful NatGas Prices
2024-03-05 - Despite moves by EQT, Chesapeake and other gassy E&Ps, natural gas prices will likely remain in a funk for at least the next quarter, analysts said.
The OGInterview: TG Natural Resources Rides LNG Wave
2024-03-01 - TG Natural Resources rides the LNG wave with its Rockcliff deal amid a shale consolidation boom.
Kimmeridge Activates on SilverBow: A Battle for South Texas Gas
2024-03-01 - Investment firm Kimmeridge is looking for more natural gas production for its own E&P to participate in the Gulf Coast LNG market. SilverBow Resources has gas.