Woodside, Japan to undertake 2nd phase of ammonia project

Woodside has teamed with six Japanese companies to conduct the second phase of a feasibility study on the establishment of a lower-emissions fuel ammonia supply chain from Australia to Japan, it said on September 15.

Australia's biggest gas producer will work with Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), Marubeni, Hokuriku Electric Power, Kansai Electric Power, Tohoku Electric Power and Hokkaido Electric Power on the project.

Last year, Woodside, JOGMEC, Marubeni, Hokuriku Electric, and Kansai Electric conducted a feasibility study on the entire supply chain, including the production of lower emissions ammonia in Australia from natural gas with CO₂ abatement methods such as carbon capture and storage, carbon capture and utilisation, and biosequestration; marine transportation to Japan; ammonia’s utilisation of ammonia as a fuel for power generation and marine use; and financing.

In last year’s study, the parties sought to address the feasibility of establishing a supply chain in relation to economics and CO₂ emission reduction.

As part of phase two of the project, seven parties, including Tohoku Electric and Hokkaido Electric as new participants, will conduct a further detailed feasibility study to inform the viability of establishing a lower-emissions fuel ammonia supply chain based on the results of the feasibility study conducted the previous year.