Pilot will see 44.01 work with ADNOC and FNRC, powered by renewable energy from Masdar
This will be the first carbon-negative project by an energy company in the Middle East
And the first peridotite mineralisation project to utilise seawater
17 January, 2023: 44.01 is expanding into the UAE with a mineralisation pilot in Fujairah. The project, a partnership with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Compnay, the Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation (FNRC) and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) will be the first carbon-negative project by an energy company in the Middle East and the first peridotite mineralisation project to utilise seawater. It was announced today at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
This will be 44.01’s largest pilot project to-date, and its first project outside Oman. A successful pilot would open the possibility of mineralizing billions of tons of captured CO2 across the region. This is a significant step towards providing safe, natural CO2 mineralisation at scale.
Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Talal Hasan, Founder and CEO of 44.01, said: “Removing CO2 from the atmosphere is vital if we are to halt and ultimately reverse climate change. Unlike CO2 storage, mineralization removes CO2 permanently by turning it into rock, minimizing the need for long-term monitoring and insurance. This pilot will enable us to test our technology at scale, on our way to offering a safe, cost-effective, natural solution for eliminating captured CO2 internationally.”
Sophie Hildebrand, Chief Technology Officer at ADNOC, said: “Across ADNOC we are committed to finding new ways to decarbonize our operations, while meeting our responsibility to supply vital energy to the world. As the first energy company in the region to run a carbon-negative project of this kind, this pilot marks the latest step in our $15 billion investment into projects that will reduce our carbon footprint and help us achieve our Net Zero by 2050 ambition.”
Eng. Muhammad Saif Al Afkham, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation, said: “We are proud to support ADNOC and our other partners to catalyze this natural process with 44.01’s technology. Success here could pave the way to help us make a significant contribution towards the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.”
About 44.01
44.01 eliminates CO2 by turning it into rock, removing it from the atmosphere safely, efficiently, and permanently. 44.01, whose name refers to the molecular mass of carbon dioxide, mineralises CO2 in peridotite, a rock found in abundance in the Gulf, as well as in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. Peridotite mineralisation is a natural process, which 44.01 accelerates by injecting carbonated fluid into peridotite formations deep underground.
About ADNOC
ADNOC is a leading diversified energy and petrochemicals group wholly owned by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. ADNOC’s objective is to maximize the value of the Emirate’s vast hydrocarbon reserves through responsible and sustainable exploration and production to support the United Arab Emirates’ economic growth and diversification. To find out more, visit: www.adnoc.ae
About the Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation
FNRC undertakes general policy for the exploitation of natural resources in accordance with requirements of economic and social development. This includes conducting Geological research, studies and surveys, exploration studies to optimize the exploitation of natural resources within the emirate. FNRC has an integrated system in mineral identification and GIS, to spread public awareness about rocks and minerals. Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation also works on promoting investments and marketing to local and international investors while ensuring best environmental practices in the mining sector.