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Jera, Yara explore creating clean ammonia partnership

  • Market: Fertilizers, Natural gas
  • 11/05/21

Japanese thermal power joint venture Jera and Norway-based fertilizer producer Yara International are planning to work together to study the possibility of producing and shipping blue and green ammonia.

Jera and Yara have signed an initial agreement to start considering co-operation on upgrading Yara's Pilbara fertilizer plant in Australia to produce blue ammonia, which would be supplied to Jera's power generation plants. The partnership would also cover development of new blue and green ammonia production projects, as well as exploration of new demand for the clean fuels in Japan. Blue ammonia is typically produced using natural gas but with carbon emissions being captured and stored or reused, while green ammonia is manufactured using hydrogen and renewable energy with no carbon emissions.

Demand for clean ammonia is expected to increase further in Japan, as the country is stepping up its efforts to achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2050. Tokyo targets 3mn t/yr of ammonia demand in 2030, mostly for power generation, before rising further to 30mn t/yr by 2050.

Jera is planning to operate an ammonia-dedicated power plant during the 2040s after realising a commercial use of the fuel by 2030. The firm's 1,000MW Hekinan No.4 and No.5 power generation units are currently having trials, co-firing coal, biomass and ammonia to generate electricity.

The deal with Yara follows Jera's agreement with Malaysian state-owned oil firm Petronas in February this year to co-operate on the development of a green ammonia and hydrogen supply chain. The companies plan to produce green ammonia and hydrogen from renewable energy sources such as hydropower.


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06/11/24

Trump takes early lead in swing states: Update 2

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US elections undecided as some polls close: Update


06/11/24
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06/11/24

US elections undecided as some polls close: Update

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Port of Vancouver grinds to halt as picket lines form


05/11/24
News
05/11/24

Port of Vancouver grinds to halt as picket lines form

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Urea prices soften further west of Suez


05/11/24
News
05/11/24

Urea prices soften further west of Suez

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Voting set to conclude in race for White House


05/11/24
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05/11/24

Voting set to conclude in race for White House

Washington, 5 November (Argus) — Voting concludes today in the US presidential contest between former president Donald Trump and vice president Kamala Harris, a race with high stakes for energy policy, trade and climate change. Polls will close by 6-9pm ET in eastern states and by 11 pm ET in most western states, but election officials say it will take time to count votes, including from mail-in ballots that will trickle in over the coming days. As of 3 November, voters who went to the polling stations early or sent mail-in ballots added up to 48pc of the total turnout in 2020, according to analysis by the Washington Post. The presidential race is likely to be determined by voters in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada, where pre-election polls have shown no decisive lead for Harris or Trump. Voters are casting ballots at a time when domestic oil and gas production is booming. US crude output reached a record high 13mn b/d last year, while gas production hit a record 103 Bcf/d, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Despite record production and profits in the oil industry, Trump has focused heavily on energy policy — and voter anger over higher prices across the economy — in his bid to win a second term. US drivers paid an average of $3.07/USG for regular grade gasoline in the week ended on 4 November, the lowest price in 10 months — but still higher than at any point during Trump's first presidency. On the campaign trail, Trump has assured oil and gas producers that under his watch they would be permitted to "drill, baby, drill" and has promised to dismantle the energy tax credits in President Joe Biden's signature climate initiative, the Inflation Reduction Act. Harris has committed to support the 2022 law and other energy policies adopted by Biden, including continued support for electric vehicles. Harris has disavowed her 2019 pledge to ban hydraulic fracturing. But oil and gas firms remain concerned about restrictions on federal leasing and efforts to electrify the vehicle fleet if she is elected. The next president will decide key questions on energy policy, such as how to proceed with a "pause" on the licensing of new US LNG export facilities and to manage climate-related rules for power plants, oil and gas facilities and vehicles. The race for the White House will have equally high stakes for companies involved in metals and agriculture , as well as other commodities. Trump is planning a combative approach to trade, with a 20pc tariff on all foreign imports and even higher tariffs against China, and to rescind many regulations. In 2025, the US Congress is poised for a major fight on tax policy because of the year-end expiration of an estimated $4 trillion in tax cuts. Russia's war on Ukraine, and the future of US restrictions on Russian energy exports is also at stake during the election. Trump has vowed to end the war by forcing Kyiv to negotiate a deal with Russian president Vladimir Putin and appears to back the Kremlin's argument that the continuation of US sanctions on Russia would weaken and undermine the dollar. A Harris administration would continue enforcing the G7 price cap on Russian oil exports and, possibly, add to the restrictions on Moscow's earnings from its oil and gas exports. The growing threat of an Israel-Iran war and its potential impacts on oil flows from the Middle East is threatening to overwhelm the final months of Biden's term in office and any foreign policy initiatives either candidate vying to succeed him will pursue in the region. US-China relations are likely to remain adversarial in coming years. Viewing Beijing as the principal economic and geopolitical challenge for the US is a rare overlap in foreign policy priorities identified by Trump and Harris. Of particular concern in Washington is the ability of oil exporting countries such as Iran, Venezuela and Russia to find willing buyers for their crude in China despite US sanctions. Polls also show a tight race in the fight for control of the US House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a slim 220-212 majority. Up to 22 congressional races are up to grabs, with a range of potential outcomes favoring either party, election ratings firm Cook Political Report says. Cook rates 208 seats as solid or leaning Republican, and 205 solid or leaning Democratic, with both shy of the 218 needed for control of the chamber. In the US Senate, where Democrats hold a 51-49 majority, Republicans have a clear path to taking control because of polling leads in West Virginia and Montana. Republicans could win control of the Senate by flipping just one seat, if Trump wins the election, but would need to flip two seats if Harris wins. By Chris Knight and Haik Gugarats Presidential race still a toss-up Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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