Baker Hughes and Woodside Energy announce partnership to develop small-scale decarbonisation technology

Baker Hughes and Woodside Energy have announced a strategic partnership to develop a low-carbon energy production technology, utilising the NET Power platform. This initiative aims to meet the specific needs of the oil and gas sector, as well as small-scale industrial applications.

The NET Power technology is based on a process that generates electricity from natural gas while capturing nearly all carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. This approach is expected to allow energy companies to reduce their carbon footprint while addressing the growing demand for energy production.

The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed in 2022 between the two companies, aimed at exploring decarbonisation solutions for the natural gas supply chain. The newly announced partnership includes technology development and an assessment of the feasibility of using the NET Power platform on a small scale, particularly for energy production applications in industry.

Feasibility and scalability assessment

The main objective of this partnership is to test the feasibility and scalability of the NET Power platform for specific market segments. The solution will first be deployed on a small scale, with ongoing testing at demonstration facilities in La Porte, Texas, and at a future large-scale power plant near Midland, Texas.

Baker Hughes plays the role of exclusive supplier for the small-scale application of this technology. The partnership agreement also allows for the exploration of new opportunities by incorporating additional partners into the technology’s development.

Expansion of the partnership and involvement of other players

Beyond this initial collaboration, the two companies have expressed their intent to expand the programme by inviting other partners to join the initiative. This could allow for further adaptation of the NET Power technology to meet the specific needs of industrial sectors, while supporting global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

The programme, which is developing in partnership with NET Power, includes testing and evaluations aimed at tailoring this technology to the requirements of a broader range of industrial markets, particularly for small-scale energy sectors.