Petronas, Sumitomo, Tokyo Gas plan carbon-neutral methane projects

Petronas, Sumitomo Corp and Tokyo Gas have agreed to conduct a feasibility study to establish a supply chain of carbon-neutral methane to Japan, Sumitomo said on November 25. The carbon-neutral methane will be produced in Malaysia by methanation, using green hydrogen from renewable energy and carbon dioxide.

Methanation is the technology to have hydrogen and carbon dioxide chemically reacted to produce methane, which is a major component of city gas. Carbon neutral methane synthesised with the methanation technology will realise the use of high caloric energy by known technics without increasing emission of carbon dioxide from its production up until end usage, Sumitomo said.

This process can also be done by utilising existing infrastructures such as natural gas liquefaction plant, LNG ocean carrier and city gas supply facilities.

“Synthetic methane is gaining popularity as a method to produce gas that is needed for heating, as it contributes positively to de-carbonisation in line with the Japanese governmentʼs target to realise carbon neutrality and de-carbonised society in 2050,” Sumitomo said.