Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is set to explore the commercial opportunities for hydrogen and blue ammonia in collaboration with Japanese companies Inpex, Jera, and government agency Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC).

The group’s unveiled the signing of a joint study agreement (JSA) on Thursday (8 July) that will see the commercial potential for both hydrogen and blue ammonia explored in the UAE.

Signed during a virtual meeting, representatives form each group reviewed joint efforts between both countries to enhance industrial cooperation and drive new opportunities for partnerships in hydrogen, renewables and climate change.

This is following a series of framework agreements that ADNOC signed earlier this year with Japan’s METI.

The new agreement is part of the UAE’s ambition to expand bilateral economic and trade relations with Japan as it looks to drive post-Covid economic growth and identifying hydrogen and ammonia as key energy sources to explore.

It is hoped by exploring ammonia and hydrogen that ADNOC can transition to environmentally friendly energy sources and break into the lucrative global hydrogen market.

This could position the UAE at the forefront of the hydrogen market.

Dr. Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and CEO of ADNOC, said, “For almost five decades, the UAE and Japan have enjoyed a deep-rooted and successful strategic relationship, underpinned by long-standing energy partnerships.

“As we increase our focus on the potential of new lower carbon fuels and navigate the energy transition, the UAE and ADNOC are keen to build and strengthen our existing partnerships and seize growth opportunities with Japan that can help produce more energy with fewer emissions.

“This joint study agreement with INPEX, JERA and JOGMEC provides a roadmap for us to deepen access to Japanese markets for ADNOC’s products and further strengthen the UAE’s hydrogen value proposition.”