Support for hydrogen/ammonia production etc.
Hydrogen and ammonia must be supplied in a stable and affordable manner like other energy resources such as oil and natural gas in order to build a hydrogen and ammonia supply system for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Furthermore, to achieve stable supply and decarbonization, it is important to make consistent efforts in the entire value chain, from production, storage, and shipping to utilization. In this regard, we will conduct a feasibility study of the hydrogen and ammonia value chain and support a feasibility study of a lignite-derived hydrogen and ammonia production project, contributing to reducing production costs.
Support for feasibility evaluations through value chain surveys on hydrogen and ammonia and others
Plan：
We will support feasibility evaluations by conducting commercialization surveys of international value chains that produce hydrogen and ammonia etc. overseas and import and store them in Japan. Finding solutions to technical and institutional challenges are necessary for the construction of an international value chain. We will develop a favorable business environment for Japanese companies operating internationally by having dialogues about technical cooperation with local companies and about institution/support measures with government/local government, thus applying our relationships cultivated so far with oil-, gas- and coal-producing countries. In doing so, we will support the launch of hydrogen and ammonia etc. projects by Japanese companies.
We will support feasibility evaluations by conducting commercialization surveys of international value chains that produce hydrogen and ammonia etc. overseas and import and store them in Japan. Finding solutions to technical and institutional challenges are necessary for the construction of an international value chain. We will develop a favorable business environment for Japanese companies operating internationally by having dialogues about technical cooperation with local companies and about institution/support measures with government/local government, thus applying our relationships cultivated so far with oil-, gas- and coal-producing countries. In doing so, we will support the launch of hydrogen and ammonia etc. projects by Japanese companies.
Case examples
CCS Joint Study for Clean Fuel Ammonia Production in Indonesia
JOGMEC, Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), a national university in the Republic of Indonesia, and PT Pancha Amara Utama (PAU) have agreed to conduct a joint study on carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon dioxide utilization for clean fuel ammonia production in Central Sulawesi, the Republic of Indonesia. The four parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Going forward, the companies concerned will formulate the necessary work processes, including project composition, data accumulation of candidate storage formations, simulations, analysis, and evaluations.
PAU plant
(Further information)
Feasibility Study on Establishing a Clean Fuel Ammonia Supply Chain from Australia to Japan
Woodside Energy Ltd., JOGMEC, Marubeni Corporation, Hokuriku Electric Power Company and The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc (the “Parties”) have signed a joint research agreement under which they will conduct a feasibility study into the development of a clean fuel ammonia supply chain from Australia to Japan. Under the joint agreement, the Parties conducted a feasibility study on the entire supply chain, including marine transportation to Japan, utilization of ammonia as a fuel for power generation and marine use, and financing in 2021.
From September 2022, as part of Phase 2 of the Project, seven parties, including Tohoku Electric and Hokkaido Electric as new participants, are conducting 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. (Further information)
From September 2022, as part of Phase 2 of the Project, seven parties, including Tohoku Electric and Hokkaido Electric as new participants, are conducting 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. (Further information)
Graphics of the clean fuel ammonia supply chain between Australia and Japan
(Further information)
Joint Study with ADNOC on Exploring the Commercial Potential of Clean Ammonia Production Business in the United Arab Emirates
INPEX CORPORATION, JERA Co., Inc. and JOGMEC signed a joint study agreement on July 8, 2021 with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) on exploring the commercial potential of a clean ammonia production business in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Commencement of Joint Feasibility Study on CCS for Creation of a Supply Chain of Low Carbon Ammonia in Western Australia
JOGMEC is conducting a collaborative research on CCS to create a supply chain of low carbon ammonia in Western Australia with Mitsui E&P Australia Pty Ltd (“MEPAU”) which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Specifically, JOGMEC and Mitsui will consider production and export of low carbon ammonia made from hydrogen generated from natural gas produced from the Waitsia gas field, and storing the CO2 emitted from the process into the nearby depleted gas field.
Conceptual image of a supply chain of low carbon ammonia in Western Australia
(Further information)
Support for feasibility evaluations of hydrogenation of coal, including lignite
Plan：
We will focus on utilizing unused resources, such as lignite, which is an affordable energy resource, towards establishing low-cost hydrogen utilization and support the evaluation of the feasibility of unused resources-derived hydrogen projects. As part of the lignite hydrogen project in Victoria, Australia, we will continue to support CCS projects for cleaner hydrogen production, and, we conduct surveys identifying potential areas of lignite hydrogen and ammonia production in Asia, including Japan.
Current status：
The geological potential surveys of lignite with a possible future hydrogen production are being conducted.
In addition, we are providing support to the Victoria state government, through FEED and business promotion etc. to realize the privatization of CarbonNet CCS project.
We will focus on utilizing unused resources, such as lignite, which is an affordable energy resource, towards establishing low-cost hydrogen utilization and support the evaluation of the feasibility of unused resources-derived hydrogen projects. As part of the lignite hydrogen project in Victoria, Australia, we will continue to support CCS projects for cleaner hydrogen production, and, we conduct surveys identifying potential areas of lignite hydrogen and ammonia production in Asia, including Japan.
Current status：
The geological potential surveys of lignite with a possible future hydrogen production are being conducted.
In addition, we are providing support to the Victoria state government, through FEED and business promotion etc. to realize the privatization of CarbonNet CCS project.
Efforts to apply existing tanks for storage of decarbonization fuels
Plan：
We will support the development of storage of decarbonization fuels in refineries and the import base of crude oil and LPG (liquified petroleum gas) in Japan by formulating technical guidebook for storage of methylcyclohexane (MCH) and ammonia in existing floating-roof crude oil tanks and low-temperature LPG tanks.
Current status：
We are conducting technical studies on MCH and ammonia to develop technical guidebook. As for MCH, while gathering the latest knowledge and information, we are investigating the impact of moisture and impurities on MCH due to rainwater intrusion from the floating roof seals of crude oil aboveground tanks and studying the outline of installing fixed roofs (steel dome roofs, steel cone roofs, aluminum roofs, etc.) on crude oil aboveground tanks that can prevent moisture and impurities intrusion, and investigating specifications and estimated costs to ensure structural stability and regulatory compliance.
As for ammonia, we are investigating the relevant laws and regulations for ammonia tank conversion and examining the necessary conversion specifications and construction methods to comply with the technical standards, in order to study the outline specifications for the conversion to store ammonia in LPG low-temperature tanks. In addition, for Investigation of the need for stress corrosion cracking (SCC) countermeasures at ammonia contact points, we are determining the scope of countermeasures to be applied based on SCC test results, and investigating the maximum design liquid level of the tank in the event of a change in liquid type, measures to prevent diffusion in the event of ammonia leakage, measures to prevent underground seepage in the tank dike, the need for replacement of piping materials and instrumentation attached to the tank body, and estimated costs.
We will support the development of storage of decarbonization fuels in refineries and the import base of crude oil and LPG (liquified petroleum gas) in Japan by formulating technical guidebook for storage of methylcyclohexane (MCH) and ammonia in existing floating-roof crude oil tanks and low-temperature LPG tanks.
Current status：
We are conducting technical studies on MCH and ammonia to develop technical guidebook. As for MCH, while gathering the latest knowledge and information, we are investigating the impact of moisture and impurities on MCH due to rainwater intrusion from the floating roof seals of crude oil aboveground tanks and studying the outline of installing fixed roofs (steel dome roofs, steel cone roofs, aluminum roofs, etc.) on crude oil aboveground tanks that can prevent moisture and impurities intrusion, and investigating specifications and estimated costs to ensure structural stability and regulatory compliance.
As for ammonia, we are investigating the relevant laws and regulations for ammonia tank conversion and examining the necessary conversion specifications and construction methods to comply with the technical standards, in order to study the outline specifications for the conversion to store ammonia in LPG low-temperature tanks. In addition, for Investigation of the need for stress corrosion cracking (SCC) countermeasures at ammonia contact points, we are determining the scope of countermeasures to be applied based on SCC test results, and investigating the maximum design liquid level of the tank in the event of a change in liquid type, measures to prevent diffusion in the event of ammonia leakage, measures to prevent underground seepage in the tank dike, the need for replacement of piping materials and instrumentation attached to the tank body, and estimated costs.
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