Oman: TotalEnergies and OQEP lay the foundation stone for Marsa LNG
- Marsa LNG will be one of the lowest carbon LNG plants in the world
- Marsa LNG will be the first LNG bunkering hub in the Middle East and will thus support the energy transition of maritime transport
OQ Exploration & Production celebrated the laying of the foundation stone of the Marsa LNG plant at the port of Sohar, located in northern Oman, one year after the final investment decision.
This natural gas liquefaction plant, with a capacity of 1 MMtpy of LNG, is being built by Marsa LNG, a company jointly owned by TotalEnergies (80%) and OQEP (20%). LNG production is expected to start in the first quarter of 2028 and will be primarily intended to meet the marine fuels market (LNG bunkering) in the Gulf.
One of the lowest carbon LNG plants in the world
The Marsa LNG plant will run on 100% electricity and will be associated with a 300 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar photovoltaic park, which will provide the equivalent of the plant's annual needs. Marsa LNG will thus be one of the lowest carbon intensity LNG plants in the world with less than 3 kg CO2e/boe for Scope 1+2 emissions. This represents a reduction of more than 90% in emissions compared to the average carbon intensity of LNG plants around the world, which is around 35 kg CO2e/boe.
First marine LNG bunkering hub in the Middle East
Ideally located at the entrance to the Gulf, Marsa LNG's site has been chosen to establish the first marine LNG bunkering hub in the Middle East.
Marsa LNG has signed a charter contract for a new LNG bunkering vessel. Named Monte Shams, in reference to Jebel Shams or "the Mountain of the Sun" in northeastern Oman, this ship is currently under construction. It will be deployed in Sohar as early as 2028, where it will refuel a wide range of ships (container ships, tankers, cruise ships) with LNG.
LNG is a readily available transition fuel for the maritime sector, which reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by around 20% compared to bunker oil. Greenhouse gas emissions from LNG-fuelled vessels in Sohar will be further reduced due to the low carbon intensity of LNG production at Marsa LNG and an on-site bunkering operation without transport to a remote bunkering port.
"It is a great pride to see Marsa LNG come out of the ground, alongside our long-standing partner OQEP and with the strong support of the Sultanate authorities," said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies. "This landmark project is proof that it is possible to produce LNG with very low emissions, helping to make gas a long-term transition energy. With ambitious technological commitments, we intend to set a new standard and pave the way for the next generation of ultra-low-emission LNG plants around the world. We also offer an effective solution to support the energy transition of the maritime sector by providing low-emission marine fuel, from a strategic location at the entrance to the Gulf. »
Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals of the Sultanate of Oman, commented on the laying of the foundation stone of Marsa LNG: "The Ministry reaffirms its unwavering commitment to support downstream energy projects which represent a key pillar of the country's economic integration, across all its sectors from industry, trade, to ports and logistics. The Marsa LNG project, which is the result of a strategic collaboration between OQ Exploration & Production and TotalEnergies, embodies this commitment, with the development of a state-of-the-art infrastructure for the supply of LNG to ships, a cleaner alternative fuel.
This project marks an important step towards providing low-emission energy solutions, and strengthens Oman's position as a reliable regional hub for clean maritime fuels. It is aligned with the goals of Oman's Vision 2040 plan, including sustainability and industrial innovation. In addition, it illustrates our commitment to providing sustainable energy solutions to the shipping industry while actively reducing its carbon footprint.
We welcome this pioneering partnership and reaffirm that investment in downstream energy projects is a key driver of economic growth, creating sustainable and skilled jobs, facilitating knowledge transfer and increasing national expertise, all of which strengthen Oman's capacity to meet the growing demand for sustainable energy resources."
"At OQEP, we are committed to promoting innovation and sustainable development in the Omani energy ecosystem," said Ahmed Al Azkawi, CEO of OQEP. "The Marsa LNG project is a major step forward, capitalizing on state-of-the-art technology and strategic collaboration to ensure a cleaner and affordable energy future. As the first LNG bunkering hub in the Middle East, Marsa LNG will play a critical role in reducing shipping emissions while strengthening Oman's position as a key player in the global energy sector. We are immensely proud to be part of this game-changing journey that will set a new standard for low-carbon energy solutions.
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