Saturday 27 / July / 2024
Muscat: ARA Petroleum (ARA), the Energy & Natural Resources arm of The Zubair Corporation, proudly announces the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with X2E, a sustainability-focused enterprise. The signing ceremony, led by Omar Al-Jaaidi, General manager of ARA, and John Jones , CEO of X2E, underscores a commitment to pioneering environment-friendly practices in oil production.
The agreement signifies ARA's dedication to implementing international best practices, with a particular emphasis on minimising the environmental impact of operations. Sultan Al Ghaithi, the CEO of ARA, highlighted the strategic objective of the agreement which ties in seamlessly with the Oman Vision 2040 goals. The project aims to treat 1000 m3/day of saline water produced from ARA's operations. The focus of this endeavour is to repurpose the treated produced water for agricultural irrigation, specifically in cultivating crops for biofuel production.
X2E, founded in 2022, is a sustainability business that transcends traditional green solutions. Within its first year of operations, X2E has expanded into twelve global locations, showcasing a strong commitment to sustainability. Notably, X2E has invested in WAKUD, Oman's first waste-to-fuel producer, as part of its mission to redefine sustainability boundaries through the innovative BioChain™ model. This model transforms underutilised sources into opportunities for energy generation and reusable by-products, exemplifying X2E's unique approach that goes Beyond Green.
Expressing enthusiasm for the collaboration, Eyhab Al Hajj, Co-founder of X2E , commented on the project aim of establishing a comprehensive value chain, treating waste not as a liability but as an opportunity. To realise this concept, the ground-breaking BioChain™ will integrate all components seamlessly while ensuring that each waste stream leads to either energy generation or the creation of reusable by-products.
He also detailed the technological innovations involved, including the introduction of Algae-based Brine Removal. This pioneering approach utilises algae-based systems to eliminate residual brine and contaminants from treated water. The biomass generated during brine removal serves as a valuable feedstock to produce biogas, contributing significantly to the overall goal of renewable energy production.
This strategic collaboration between ARA and X2E marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable and environmentally conscious practices within the energy sector. Both organizations are poised to lead the way in demonstrating how environmental stewardship and energy production can coexist harmoniously, setting a new standard for the industry.
Established in 2014, ARA is a dynamic member of the Exploration & Production industry in Oman. The company is a full cycle E&P company which explores, appraises, develops, and produces oil & gas resources both in Oman and internationally. ARA is a leader in the implementation of environmentally sustainable solutions in the field. One such example is ongoing construction of the first water desalination plant by thermal renewable energy that is expected to be operational in the first half of 2024.
