Adnoc has set out preliminary plans for a world-scale 1 million tonne per year blue ammonia facility in Ruwais.
The United Arab Emirate company has signed deals in recent months with Japan’s Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry (METI) and South Korea’s GS Energy.
Adnoc currently produces 300,000 tpy of hydrogen at Ruwais.
The company has appointed Wood to carry out the pre-front-end engineering and design (pre-FEED) work on the ammonia project. It also chose Wood for six additional projects at Ta’ziz.
Adnoc said it would also work on a feasibility study to supply blue hydrogen to the project, from Ruwais.
A final investment decision (FID) is due in 2022, with start up in 2025.
UAE Minister of Industry and Adnoc CEO Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber described the new plan as a significant milestone.
It will build on “the UAE’s strong position as a producer of competitive, low carbon natural gas and our leadership role in carbon capture and underground storage. As we collectively navigate the global energy transition, we believe hydrogen, and its carrier fuels such as ammonia, offer promise and potential as zero carbon energy sources.”
Ta’ziz time
He went on to say it was a sign that the Ta’ziz project was moving ahead. “With Ta’ziz as a key catalyst, we are well placed to further strengthen our position as a leading destination for local and international investment, leveraging technology to further grow the UAE’s advanced manufacturing and industrial base.”
Carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) will play a role in the project. Adnoc’s Al Reyadah facility captures up to 800,000 tpy of CO2 produced during local steel manufacturing.
Adnoc and ADQ launched the Ta’ziz joint venture in November 2020. At launch, the companies set out plans for a $5 billion investment in the first phase of the chemical venture.