Joint study agreement to assess viability of blue ammonia and hydrogen

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) announced the signing of a joint study agreement (JSA) with two Japanese companies–INPEX Corporation (INPEX), JERA, and a government agency, the Japan Oil, Gas, and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC)–to assess the commercial viability of blue ammonia production in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The agreement builds on ADNOC’s leadership in low-carbon fuels and extensive experience with carbon capture and storage, and comes on the heels of a virtual meeting between His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, and H.E. Kajiyama Hiroshi, Japan Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI).

The ministers discussed joint efforts between the two countries to expand industrial cooperation and create new opportunities for partnerships in hydrogen, renewable energy, and climate change, following the signing earlier this year of a series of framework agreements between ADNOC and Japan’s METI and other Japanese companies.

H.E. Dr. Al Jaber said: “For almost five decades, the  UAE and Japan have enjoyed a deep-rooted and successful strategic relationship, underpinned by long-standing energy partnerships. As we increase our focus on the potential of new lower carbon fuels and navigate the energy transition, the UAE and ADNOC are keen to build and strengthen our existing partnerships and seize growth opportunities with Japan that can help produce more energy with fewer emissions. 

“This joint study agreement with INPEX, JERA and JOGMEC provides a roadmap for us to deepen access to Japanese markets for ADNOC’s products and further strengthen the UAE’s hydrogen value proposition.”

H.E. Mr. Kajiyama said: In January, METI and ADNOC signed a Momorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Fuel Ammonia and Carbon Recycling. Since then, further progress has been made among relevant entities, and we are pleased with the signing of JSA on fuel ammonia by ADNOC, INPEX, JERA and JOGMEC today. Japan hope that today’s conclusion of JSA will lead to further progress in concrete efforts to the supply of fuel ammonia from Abu Dhabi to Japan.

ADNOC is already developing a world-scale blue ammonia manufacturing facility at the TA’ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone in Ruwais, with a capacity of 1,000 kilotons per year, and the new deal will investigate further blue ammonia potential.