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.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)
Engine 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch
Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm
Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est)
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Tributes from the UAE's personal finance community
• Sebastien Aguilar, who heads SimplyFI.org, a non-profit community where people learn to invest Bogleheads’ style
“It is thanks to Jack Bogle’s work that this community exists and thanks to his work that many investors now get the full benefits of long term, buy and hold stock market investing.
Compared to the industry, investing using the common sense approach of a Boglehead saves a lot in costs and guarantees higher returns than the average actively managed fund over the long term.
From a personal perspective, learning how to invest using Bogle’s approach was a turning point in my life. I quickly realised there was no point chasing returns and paying expensive advisers or platforms. Once money is taken care off, you can work on what truly matters, such as family, relationships or other projects. I owe Jack Bogle for that.”
• Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International
"Thought to have saved investors over a trillion dollars, Jack Bogle’s ideas truly changed the way the world invests. Shaped by his own personal experiences, his philosophy and basic rules for investors challenged the status quo of a self-interested global industry and eventually prevailed. Loathed by many big companies and commission-driven salespeople, he has transformed the way well-informed investors and professional advisers make decisions."
• Demos Kyprianou, a board member of SimplyFI.org
"Jack Bogle for me was a rebel, a revolutionary who changed the industry and gave the little guy like me, a chance. He was also a mentor who inspired me to take the leap and take control of my own finances."
• Steve Cronin, founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com
"Obsessed with reducing fees, Jack Bogle structured Vanguard to be owned by its clients – that way the priority would be fee minimisation for clients rather than profit maximisation for the company.
His real gift to us has been the ability to invest in the stock market (buy and hold for the long term) rather than be forced to speculate (try to make profits in the shorter term) or even worse have others speculate on our behalf.
Bogle has given countless investors the ability to get on with their life while growing their wealth in the background as fast as possible. The Financial Independence movement would barely exist without this."
• Zach Holz, who blogs about financial independence at The Happiest Teacher
"Jack Bogle was one of the greatest forces for wealth democratisation the world has ever seen. He allowed people a way to be free from the parasitical "financial advisers" whose only real concern are the fat fees they get from selling you over-complicated "products" that have caused millions of people all around the world real harm.”
• Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.org
"In an industry that’s synonymous with greed, Jack Bogle was a lone wolf, swimming against the tide. When others were incentivised to enrich themselves, he stood by the ‘fiduciary’ standard – something that is badly needed in the financial industry of the UAE."
The biog
Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran
Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Johnstone, Pickford, Ramsdale
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Godfrey, James, Maguire, Mings, Shaw, Stones, Trippier, Walker, White
Midfielders Bellingham, Henderson, Lingard, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse
Forwards Calvert-Lewin, Foden, Grealish, Greenwood, Kane, Rashford, Saka, Sancho, Sterling, Watkins
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
