Baker Hughes has signed a contract with SOCAR for an integrated gas recovery and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) removal system that will significantly reduce downstream flaring at SOCAR’s Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The project is expected to recover flare gas equivalent up to 7 million Nm3 of methane per year, and further reduce CO2 emissions by up to 11,000 tons per year.
According to the contract signed at COP 29 in Baku, Baker Hughes will integrate its innovative gas recovery and H2S removal system into the refinery’s existing infrastructure to help abate methane and sulfur, two of the most potent greenhouse gas emissions, and remove hazardous H2S from the site.
The system will also enable SOCAR to use the recovered gas, which would have previously been flared, as fuel for the refinery. This will reduce overall fuel gas consumption and operating costs at the refinery, creating new opportunities for value enhancement and efficiency gains.
“We must reduce emissions by 45% this decade to put us on the right path to reach net zero by 2050. The industry has an imperative to act now, and we can do it with existing technology solutions that can be deployed today,” said Baker Hughes Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Simonelli.
“This award is a testament to our companies’ shared commitment to act on emissions abatement and represents another significant milestone in Baker Hughes’ journey to help customers drive more sustainable and efficient operations,” Simonelli added.
For his part, president of SOCAR, Rovshan Najaf said: “Our collaboration with Baker Hughes reflects SOCAR’s commitment to advancing sustainable operations and reducing emissions across our sites.”
“By launching this project, we are making a tangible impact on emissions abatement and setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility. This initiative aligns with our vision for a cleaner, more efficient energy future, supporting our commitment to climate goals,” Rovshan added.
The project took nine months to develop from a concept to a contract and is expected to begin with full commission within 24 months, Baker Hughes said.
