INPEX continues to advance decarbonisation initiatives around the world, with a focus on carbon capture, ammonia and hydrogen. 

Following last year’s award of the Tokyo metropolitan area carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, along with joint venture partners Nippon Steel and Kanto Natural Gas Development, a contract has been awarded to Wood to deliver concept design services for the project’s transportation network.

The pre-front end engineering design (FEED) scope will focus on a network of onshore and offshore pipelines that will gather CO2 from emissions-heavy steel and power plants in the Tokyo Metropolitan area.

These pipelines will then deliver captured CO2 to storage facilities in offshore coastal zones of Tokyo for later commercialisation. Commencing in the first quarter of 2024, the project contributes to the broader decarbonisation and energy transition initiatives outlined by Japan, the world’s fifth-largest emitter of CO2.

Each company will leverage its respective technological capabilities and knowledge to jointly conduct studies and surveys in each segment of the CCS value chain, including CO2 separation, capture, transportation and storage, toward the commercialisation of CCS.

In the United States, a feasibility study has been progressed for the INPEX, Air Liquide Group, LSB Industries and Vopak Moda Houston joint venture ’s blue ammonia facility located on the Houston ship channel.

If the development proceeds, the project’s first phase is targeted to produce more than 1.1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of low-carbon ammonia by the end of 2027, with options for future expansions.

Once operational, the ammonia will be exported to Japan for e-fuel manufacturing, meeting the growing demand for sustainable fuels.

In Abu Dhabi, INPEX is working with Masdar, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation (MCG) to deliver a feasibility study for the Abu Dhabi Carbon Recycle Chemicals Project.

This project aims to produce the world’s first polypropylene made from CO2 and green hydrogen, also known as e-methanol, at a commercial scale.

INPEX is also working with TotalEnergies CCS Australia Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy Ltd, in a joint venture known as Bonaparte CCS Assessment.

The project’s aim is to realise a large-scale CCUS Hub at the proposed Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, which could become one of the largest CCUS projects in the world.