Santos teams with Tokyo Gas to explore producing carbon-neutral e-methane in Australia

In Australia, Santos continues to build momentum to deliver new energy solutions by partnering with Japan’s largest gas utility company, Tokyo Gas, to investigate the potential for producing carbon-neutral e-methane in Australia.

E-methane is made by combining green hydrogen and CO2 obtained from carbon capture of industrial emissions or Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology. The advantage of e-methane for customers such as Tokyo Gas is that it has the same properties and chemistry as natural gas and can use existing gas pipelines, LNG facilities (including liquefaction, ships, tanks and receival terminals) and gas distribution networks.

Santos, through its new energies business Santos Energy Solutions, with support from Tokyo Gas, will evaluate the potential to produce e-methane for export to Japan, leveraging extensive existing infrastructure. Tokyo Gas is an integrated gas and power company, serving more than 12 million customers. First production of e-methane is targeted for 2030.

The study will include technical analysis of renewable power, carbon dioxide and other feedstock sources, the methanation process (to make e-methane), cost and schedule evaluations, risk assessments and commercialisation options.

The study will focus on the Cooper Basin which has vast renewable resource potential for making green hydrogen using electrolysis technology, where Santos is trialling DAC technology. Santos is also building one of the world’s largest carbon capture and storage projects at Moomba in the Cooper Basin and the project is on track for first injection in 2024.