ADNOC Gas, in collaboration with Baker Hughes, has successfully deployed a new technology that captures carbon from methane, the primary component of natural gas, and converts it into graphene. This breakthrough, developed by the British climate tech firm Levidian, has been implemented at ADNOC Gas’ Habshan Gas Processing Plant, marking the first use of the LOOP technology at an operational gas processing site.
LOOP is a pre-combustion decarbonisation system, hydrogen production system, and graphene generator. It produces over 1 tonne of graphene and hydrogen per year, aligning with global energy transition goals. The technology uses electromagnetic waves to ionise methane into plasma, separating hydrogen and carbon without using water or generating additional CO2, thus reducing emissions.
Mohamed Al Hashemi, ADNOC Gas’ Chief Operations Officer, commented that the deployment of LOOP marks a significant step in unlocking new value from natural gas, driving decarbonisation, and supporting the UAE’s climate ambitions. The data collected during the pilot will help refine AI modelling and digital twin technologies to optimise energy usage and maximise graphene production in future installations.
Levidian CEO John Hartley highlighted the growing demand for graphene and expressed excitement about collaborating with ADNOC and Baker Hughes to tap into a new source of this super-material, which is more affordable, less carbon-intensive, and of superior quality. The graphene produced will be explored for use in applications such as electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, and more durable materials like concrete and tyres.
Alessandro Bresciani, Senior VP at Baker Hughes, emphasised how this collaboration demonstrates the potential of new decarbonisation technologies in real-world industrial applications, reinforcing the importance of innovation, safety, and environmental focus.