Skip to main content

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company sends ammonia to Japan

The UAE is making a push to boost its green technology sector and reduce dependence on oil.
A general view taken on May 29, 2019, shows the seafront promenade in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company headquarters (C).

Clean ammonia from Abu Dhabi has made its way to Japan. 

The Japanese oil company Inpex said today that they successfully brought clean ammonia produced by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to Japan. The ammonia was made via natural gas from ADNOC’s Fertiglobe joint venture with the Dutch chemical company OCI. The Japanese engineering firm IHI and transportation company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines also helped bring the ammonia from the United Arab Emirates capital city to Japan, according to a press release. 

The ammonia was shipped on May 18, arrived in Japan on June 22 and was tested there on June 27, S&P Global reported

What is it? Ammonia is a compound of hydrogen and nitrogen that can be used as fuel. Blue ammonia refers to ammonia that is derived from hydrogen in natural gas. Green ammonia is produced using green hydrogen, which is made from renewable energy. So-called “clean ammonia” comprises both blue and green ammonia, according to the Norwegian fertilizer company Yara International.

Inpex claimed the ammonia from Abu Dhabi is “clean” because the carbon dioxide emitted from the ammonia production process was “sequestered and injected into Abu Dhabi onshore oil fields,” meaning it was not released into the atmosphere. 

Why it matters: The UAE is working to develop more renewable energy sources and green technology as it seeks to rely less on oil. In May, the Emirati renewable energy company Masdar unveiled a new waste-to-energy plant that will convert garbage into electricity. The same month, ADNOC pledged to work with British Petroleum on green hydrogen production. 

Earlier this month, the UAE signed a cooperation deal with Azerbaijan on the development of wind, solar and green hydrogen energy. 

Know more: Oil and gas production remains a large part of the UAE economy, responsible for 30% of gross domestic product. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company discovered new gas reserves off the eponymous coast in February. 

Earlier this week, Emirati Energy Minister Mohammed Al Mazrouei said the country is close to its maximum capacity in oil production. US President Joe Biden wants the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other major oil producers to boost production in an effort to bring down prices. 

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

What's included:
Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

  • The Takeaway & Week in Review
  • Middle East Minute (AM)
  • Daily Briefing (PM)
  • Business & Tech Briefing
  • Security Briefing
  • Gulf Briefing
  • Israel Briefing
  • Palestine Briefing
  • Turkey Briefing
  • Iraq Briefing
Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Become Member Start with 1-week free trial
What's included:
Our Expertise AI-driven

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

All premium Industry Newsletters - Monitor the Middle East's most important industries. Prioritize your target industries for weekly review:

  • Capital Markets & Private Equity
  • Venture Capital & Startups
  • Green Energy
  • Supply Chain
  • Sustainable Development
  • Leading Edge Technology
  • Oil & Gas
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Banking

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.

Already a Member? Sign in

Gulf Briefing Gulf Briefing

Gulf Briefing

Top GCC stories in your inbox each week

Trend Reports

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R) attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on February 22, 2019. (Photo by HOW HWEE YOUNG / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HOW HWEE YOUNG/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

From roads to routers: The future of China-Middle East connectivity

A general view shows the solar plant in Uyayna, north of Riyadh, on March 29, 2018. - On March 27, Saudi announced a deal with Japan's SoftBank to build the world's biggest solar plant. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

Regulations on Middle East renewable energy industry starting to take shape

Start your PRO membership today.

Join the Middle East's top business and policy professionals to access exclusive PRO insights today.

Join Al-Monitor PRO Start with 1-week free trial