Energy services company Expro Group Holdings N.V has secured a carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) contract for what is believed to be Japan’s first clean hydrogen production demonstration.
It was unveiled today (23rd January) that INPEX Corporation awarded the contract for the Kashiwazaki clean hydrogen and ammonia project, which hopes to produce 700 tonnes of blue hydrogen annually.
Expro’s contract includes the delivery of tubular running services for multiple sections of casing, liner, and tubing across a 12-month period. This covers one production well, one injection well, and one monitoring well.
Alistair Geddes, Chief Operating Officer of Expro, said, “Carbon storage sites are a fundamental part of clean hydrogen projects, and ensuring the long-term integrity of those wells is imperative.”
Geddes continued, “We are proud to be a part of this demonstration project that aligns with Expro’s and the industry’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions while advancing our sustainable energy solutions.”
The Kashiwazaki clean hydrogen and ammonia project has been described as a key milestone in Japan’s energy security journey to help produce clean energy from domestically sourced gas. It is believed to be the country’s first project develop an integrated hydrogen and ammonia value chain from production to usage.
Japan’s hydrogen future
According to the Japan’s Basic Hydrogen Strategy, the country plans to invest 15 trillion yen ($107.5bn) over the next 15 years to support hydrogen supply.
The country initially called for hydrogen supply to reach three million tonnes annually by 2030 from two million tonnes now. However, Japan’s government revised its target in 2023 to boost hydrogen supply to 12 million tonnes a year by 2040.
By 2050, Japan hopes to achieve around 20 million tonnes. 2050 is when the global hydrogen market is expected to generate $2.5 trillion in annual revenue.
Japan’s plan also sets a target for companies affiliated with the country, both domestically and abroad, to have a total of 15GW of electrolyser capacity by 2030 from less than one gigawatt now.
source: gasworld.com