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Saudi Arabia's Low-Carbon Ammonia Export To Japan | |
| Sumita Pawar |
In a significant achievement, Saudi Arabia has sent its first shipment of independently certified low-carbon ammonia to Japan for use as fuel in power generation.
The ammonia was produced by Sabic Agri-Nutrients with feedstock from Aramco and sold by Aramco Trading Company to the Fuji Oil Company.
Technical support was provided by Mitsui OSK Lines and Japan Oil Engineering Co.
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Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) was tasked with shipping the liquid to Japan, and then the low-carbon ammonia was transported to the Sodegaura Refinery for use in co-fired power generation, with technical support provided by Japan Oil Engineering Co. (JOE).
The ammonia is categorised as low-carbon because CO2 from the associated manufacturing process was captured and utilised in downstream applications.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry plans to increasingly harness ammonia as a fuel for power generation and ship propulsion as part of the country’s 2050 decarbonization goals.
Olivier Thorel, Aramco Senior Vice President of Chemicals, said, "This is another milestone that highlights the possibilities for low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia made from Aramco feedstock, with the potential to play a role in a lower-carbon future."
"Not only is low-carbon ammonia a means to transport lower-carbon hydrogen, it is an important energy source in its own right that can help decarbonize key sectors, including power generation for both utilities and industries. By dispatching this accredited low-carbon ammonia to Japan, we are helping chart a course for the development of this vital commodity."
Shigeto Yamamoto, FOC Representative Director, President, said, "As Japan aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, low-carbon ammonia is expected to be a next-generation fuel that can contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions."
"In order to reduce CO2 emissions from our own operations, we have been working on co-firing ammonia, which is a by-product of the petroleum refining process, in the boiler at our Sodegaura Refinery, and we plan to burn low-carbon ammonia imported this time with the cooperation of our partners in the same boiler." "We will continue these efforts to contribute to the construction of the ammonia supply chain."
Aramco and Sabic AN aim to establish a global supply network for this lower-carbon fuel and supply low-carbon ammonia to other players to meet their early demand needs. This latest shipment brings the lower-carbon energy solution one step closer to mainstreaming.