Shell, GE sign MoU to reduce carbon intensity using hydrogen

By Innocent Obasi

Shell Global Solutions, a leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) for more than 50 years, and GE Gas Power have signed a development agreement to explore alternative routes aiming to lower the carbon intensity of Shell’s LNG supply projects worldwide.

Under this agreement, GE will speed up development for the use of 100 percent hydrogen as a low carbon fuel for gas turbines. The focus will be on hydrogen solutions for B&E class gas turbines used in LNG and power generation applications. GE will work with Shell to develop potential lower-carbon solutions aiming to reduce the carbon intensity of Shell’s LNG supply projects around the world.

In an LNG facility, burning natural gas in the power generation and mechanical drive gas turbines is the main cause of emissions. Therefore, using hydrogen as a low carbon fuel in these engines is one of the potential ways to decarbonize LNG production. The type and source of this fuel also matter, and Shell’s Blue Hydrogen Process is a cutting-edge technology that can produce the fuel with the lowest carbon intensity of its kind. It uses technologies and building blocks that have been extensively tested and commercially proven and have been used in a variety of sectors for decades.

GE stated that decarbonization is essential in assisting the industry in meeting the world’s expanding energy needs, with the need for LNG expected to virtually double by 2040.

“Having worked on hydrogen combustion technologies for many years, we are conscious that progress in this area will be the result of careful, dedicated research and collaboration by industry leaders and today’s announcement is a model of this approach,” John Intile, vice president, engineering at GE Gas Power, said.

“We look forward to working in cooperation with Shell to advance this crucial body of work. Together, we’re confident our combined strengths of Shell, GE, and Baker Hughes, who is exclusive distributor of certain heavy duty gas turbines and services in the oil & gas segment, can accelerate the deployment of pragmatic and impactful solutions towards high-hydrogen capabilities in these gas turbines fleets resulting in a significant reduction of carbon emissions and water utilization globally,” he said.

To achieve this aim, Alexander Boekhorst, VP gas processing and conversion technology at Shell, said becoming a net-zero emissions energy business means the company needs to explore a range of avenues that have the potential to help it, its partners and customers reduce emissions.

“We have continued to innovate and improve the value proposition of LNG using technology, and we look forward to collaborating with GE on this important initiative,” he said.