After the blue ammonia deal … Expanding Saudi-Japanese cooperation in energy

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Minister of Energy, discussed during his meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu today, expanding cooperation in the energy field.

The Saudi Press Agency said, during the meeting, ways to strengthen relations between the two countries in the fields of energy and technology were discussed.

The meeting also discussed means of cooperation in the fields of the circular carbon economy, hydrogen fuel production, and renewable energy, in addition to the importance of stabilizing global oil markets.

A few days ago, Saudi Aramco announced the export of the world’s first shipment of blue ammonia to Japan, amounting to 40 tons.

Ammonia consists of 3 atoms of hydrogen and one atom of nitrogen, as projections indicate that hydrogen will become an important player in the global energy system.

Ammonia contributes to meeting the challenges of rising global energy demand in a reliable, sustainable and affordable way.

Japan uses a high-quality blue ammonia charge to generate carbon-free power.

The deal was concluded between Aramco and the Institute of Energy Economics of Japan (IEEJ), in partnership with the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC).

This achievement highlights one of the many pathways within the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) concept, which is a framework in which carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, removed, recycled, and reused, rather than being released into the atmosphere.

Japan, the third largest economic power in the world, imports about 90% of its crude oil needs from the Middle East.

Japan ranked third in the volume of trade with Saudi Arabia, and Japanese direct foreign investment in Saudi Arabia amounted to 130 projects.