UAE and Japan to explore hydrogen and blue ammonia
UAE is increasing its focus new lower-carbon fuels and keen to revive its partnerships with Japan to help produce clean energy like hydrogen.
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) agreed on a joint study agreement (JSA) with three Japanese organisations Inpex Corporation, Jera Co., Inc. and the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (Jogmec), to explore the commercial potential of blue ammonia production in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The JSA will provide a platform for the partners to explore supplying Japanese utility companies with blue ammonia produced in Abu Dhabi.
The agreement follows a virtual meeting between Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and MD of Adnoc, and Kajiyama Hiroshi, Japan Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry (Meti). The ministers reviewed joint efforts between both countries to work jointly in hydrogen, among other areas.
Dr Al Jaber said, “This joint study agreement with Inpex, Jera and Jogmec provides a roadmap for us to deepen access to Japanese markets for Adnco’s products and further strengthen the UAE’s hydrogen value proposition.”
Mr Kajiyama said, “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 working on a world-scale blue ammonia production facility at the Ta’ziz Industrial Chemicals Zone in Ruwais, which will have 1 million tonnes/year capacity, and further opportunities in blue ammonia will be explored under the new agreement.
Japan is Adnoc’s largest international importer of oil and gas products, with around 25% of its crude oil imported from the UAE. In January, the UAE and Japan agreed to cooperate on fuel ammonia and carbon recycling technologies following the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between Adnoc and Japan’s METI.
