FEED has begun for the production of e-methane from 250 MW-class water electrolysis and biogenic CO2 at the Live Oak project in Nebraska, United States. The project aims to export the e-methane to Japan. The three participating companies are Itochu Corporation, Osaka Gas and Toho Gas. FEED is scheduled for completion in fiscal 2027, with commercial operations expected to begin in fiscal 2030.
FEED (front-end engineering and design) has begun for the Live Oak project, a large-scale e-methane production business under development in Nebraska, United States. The facility will use a 250 MW-class water electrolyzer to produce e-methane by combining green hydrogen with CO2 from a bioethanol plant.
Annual production is expected to reach 75,000 tonnes, with actual production estimated at 67,000 tonnes per year after taking the operating rate into account. Following completion, the project aims to export the e-methane to the Japanese market, with Osaka Gas and Toho Gas expected to serve as the primary offtakers.
The consortium's equity participation is 33.35% each for TotalEnergies and Tree Energy Solutions Belgium, with the three Japanese companies collectively holding 33.3%. Itochu Corporation will coordinate the Japanese companies. FEED will be handled by KBR of the United States and Spain's Tecnicas Reunidas.
FEED is scheduled for completion in fiscal 2027, followed by the start of EPC services from that year onward, with commercial operations targeted to begin during fiscal 2030. After completion of the project, the parties expect to use existing U.S. natural gas and LNG infrastructure to supply Japanese customers.