United States, Saudi Arabia commit to collaboration on clean fossil fuels, carbon management

U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and Saudi Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources H.E. Khalid Al Falih signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) this week to create a framework for cooperation in relation to clean fossil fuels and carbon management during Perry’s recent visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“After a productive and informative visit to the Kingdom, today the United States and our friend Saudi Arabia enter an exciting new phase in our energy partnership, building on our collective success with an eye to the future,” Perry said. “This MOU outlines a future alliance not only in supercritical carbon dioxide but also in a range of clean fossil fuels and carbon management opportunities.”

The MOU encourages collaboration between engineers, scientists, and other experts as well as facilitate the transfer of technology. It also supports the organization of joint seminars and workshops, as well as visits to facilities, such as research laboratories and industrial sites by experts.

The MOU covers numerous technical fields including supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power cycles; carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS); chemical looping and oxy-combustion; the energy-water nexus; and other areas of mutual interest related to clean fossil fuels and carbon management.

“Together through the development of clean energy technologies our two countries can lead the world in promoting economic growth and energy production in an environmentally responsible way,” Perry said. “I thank Minister Al Falih and the rest of my Saudi hosts for their hospitality and look forward to working together in the months and years to come.”