Doha, Qatar - The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) hosted a workshop on Monday 19 June 2023 focused on the low-carbon hydrogen and its emerging role in energy transition and sustainability. Organised by the GECF’s Gas Research Institute (GRI), the workshop took place in a hybrid format at the GECF Secretariat and online.
Entitled “Technologies Assessment in Low Carbon Hydrogen for Sustainable Development: Prospects, Potentials, Challenges, and Opportunities”, the workshop provided valuable insights into the technical, economic, regulatory, and market aspects of the hydrogen economy, as well as the associated challenges and opportunities.
In his opening remarks, HE Eng. Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the GECF, said: “Notwithstanding the promises of hydrogen, there are significant hurdles to overcome, including low production efficiency, safety risks, non-existence of transport and storage infrastructure, and a lack of global standards and markets. Special attention is required for blue hydrogen, given its potential for reducing carbon emissions and the substantial natural gas reserves held by our member countries.
“By deploying carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies, we can curtail the environmental impact of hydrogen production, plotting a course towards a more sustainable energy future.”
Highlights of the workshop included sessions on hydrogen production technologies, storage, transportation, infrastructure, and end-use applications. The speakers addressed the role of natural gas in hydrogen projects, incentives and financing schemes for hydrogen economies, regulatory aspects, and ongoing research on hydrogen. The workshop also featured case studies from GECF countries, showcasing the potential and perspectives of hydrogen within these regions.
The distinguished speakers in the workshop programme represented a range of countries and organisations, including:
- Mr Mourad Amara – University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, Algeria
- Mr Farzad Bahadoran – Research Institute of Petroleum Industry, Iran
- Mr Jowar Pena – PDVSA Intevep, Venezuela
- Mr Nelson Mojarro – International Chamber of Shipping, UK
- Dr Abubakar Abbas – Energy Economics and Forecasting Department, GECF
- Dr Roberto Cardinale – The American University in Cairo, Egypt
- Mr Laurent Antoni – International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy
- Dr Minh Khoi Le – RystadEnergy
- Mr Subhendu Biswas – Global Carbon Council, Qatar
- Ms Nawal Alhanaee – Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, UAE
- Ms Heba Beshr – Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), Egypt
- Mr Billel Kalache – Sonatrach, Algeria
- Mr Ahmad Bahaa – Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Egypt
- Mr Raffie Hosein – The University of The West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago
In her closing remarks, Ms Lamiaa Abo Shahba, Chairperson of the GRI-Scientific Committee, expressed her gratitude to all the participants and emphasised the significance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in advancing the development of low-carbon hydrogen solutions.