200km Dedicated Hydrogen Pipeline Planned in Al Duqm: Key Opportunities for Investors and Businesses in Oman
OQ Gas Networks (OQGN), the majority state-owned utility and designated National Champion for green hydrogen infrastructure, has announced plans to develop hydrogen pipeline networks spanning approximately 200 kilometres in Al Duqm, with additional dedicated pipelines planned for Salalah.
Leading the development of an integrated Common-Use Infrastructure (CUI), key Omani national utilities aim to provide open access and achieve economies of scale for hydrogen producers and exporters. This framework is designed to create a more competitive and efficient hydrogen ecosystem by linking production sites directly to ports and global markets.
While OQGN focuses on building the hydrogen pipeline network to transport hydrogen from production facilities to export hubs and industrial zones, other national entities such as Nama Water Services will oversee vital water supply infrastructure necessary for electrolysis-based hydrogen production.
Mansoor Ali Al Abdali, CEO of OQGN, revealed that the company is now part of a high-level steering committee responsible for overseeing studies, design, and commercial modeling of the common-use hydrogen infrastructure in Duqm and Salalah.
“At OQGN, we intend to replicate the success of our natural gas common-use network model for hydrogen infrastructure. We were the first to sign a memorandum of understanding with Hydrom, offering developers the option to utilize our hydrogen pipeline instead of constructing their own. This innovative approach will enhance the competitiveness of Oman’s hydrogen market,” Al Abdali explained in an interview with The Energy Year, a prominent international business news platform.
He emphasized that the new pipeline networks will be exclusively dedicated to hydrogen transport, marking a departure from previous proposals to repurpose existing natural gas pipelines.
“Given the rising demand for natural gas in Oman, we are committed to establishing a dedicated hydrogen pipeline network instead of repurposing current gas infrastructure, as has been done in parts of Europe. While repurposing might be considered in the future, it will not occur during the initial development phase. We are currently projecting around 200 kilometres of pipeline in Duqm, with a potentially longer extension planned for Salalah,” Al Abdali stated.
This ambitious project underscores Oman’s strategic commitment to advancing its green hydrogen capabilities and expanding its footprint in the global clean energy market.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
Oman’s strategic development of dedicated hydrogen pipeline networks in Al Duqm and Salalah, spearheaded by OQ Gas Networks, positions the Sultanate as a competitive hub in the emerging green hydrogen economy. This infrastructure creates significant opportunities for businesses and investors to capitalize on a more integrated, cost-efficient hydrogen ecosystem, with open-access pipelines lowering entry barriers for producers and exporters. Smart investors should consider early engagement with Oman’s pioneering hydrogen market, leveraging the exclusive transport infrastructure to gain first-mover advantages in green energy exports.
