Saudi Aramco exports the world’s first shipment of blue ammonia

Saudi Aramco and the Japanese Energy Economics Institute (IEEJ), in partnership with the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), announced the successful production and export of the first shipment of blue ammonia from the Kingdom to Japan with the support of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry METI, where 40 tons of high-quality blue ammonia were exported. To Japan for use in carbon-free power generation.
This announcement comes amid growing expectations for the role that hydrogen will play in the global energy system, as ammonia, a compound consisting of three atoms of hydrogen and one atom of nitrogen, can contribute to meeting the challenges of rising global energy demand in a reliable, sustainable and affordable way.
The Saudi-Japanese blue ammonia supply network stretches across the entire value chain, including converting hydrocarbons into hydrogen and then into ammonia, while simultaneously capturing associated CO2 emissions.
The challenges associated with shipping blue ammonia to Japan for use in power plants were addressed, as 30 tons of carbon dioxide were captured during the process designated for use in methanol production at SABIC’s Avicenna facility, and another 20 tons of captured carbon dioxide were used to improve the process. EOR oil extraction in the Othmaniyah field.
This achievement highlights one of the many pathways within the CCE concept, which is a framework in which carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, removed, recycled, and reused – rather than released into the atmosphere.
This first shipment in the world represents an important opportunity for Saudi Aramco to showcase the potential of hydrocarbons as a reliable source of low carbon hydrogen and ammonia. Also on the successful partnership between Saudi Arabia and Japan, and there is no doubt that such international partnerships are essential in achieving a circular carbon economy, which the Kingdom supports during its current presidency of the G20 summit.
He stressed that Saudi Aramco is working with different partners from all over the world to find solutions by deploying advanced technologies to produce low-carbon energy to meet the global climate challenge.
Masakazu Toyoda, Chairman and CEO of the Japan Energy Economics Institute, said, “Blue ammonia is very important to Japan’s ambitions to reduce carbon emissions, with the goal of maintaining a balance between the environment and the economy. About 10 percent of Japan’s energy can be generated by 30 Million tons of blue ammonia. So, we can start by releasing this substance jointly in existing power plants, and then move eventually to monocosting 100 percent blue ammonia. There are countries like Japan that cannot necessarily benefit from carbon capture, exploitation, storage or The oil recovery process is due to its geological conditions, but neutral ammonia / blue carbon hydrogen gas will help overcome this obstacle. “
In turn, Dr. Fahad Al-Shuraihi, Vice President of Energy Efficiency and Carbon Management at SABIC, said, “We can economically benefit from our existing infrastructure for hydrogen and ammonia production through carbon dioxide capture. Our experience in the entire supply chain along with integrated petrochemical facilities will play an important role in Providing blue ammonia to the world. “
Ammonia contains about 18 percent of hydrogen by weight, and it is a chemical that is widely traded globally. It does not release carbon dioxide emissions when burned in the thermal power plant, and has the potential to make a significant contribution to the future of clean, safe and affordable energy.
SABIC and Mitsubishi, represented in the Japan Energy Economics Institute study team, are overseeing the logistical transport operation in partnership with JGC Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries – Engineering, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, and UBE Industries.