INPEX to lead development of Houston Ship Channel ammonia plant

INPEX Corp., Air Liquide Group, LSB Industries Inc., and Vopak Moda Houston LLC will collaborate on pre-front-end engineering and design (FEED) for a 1.1-million tonne/year (tpy), low-carbon ammonia production and export project on the Houston Ship Channel (HSC). The developers are targeting end-2027 startup, with options for future expansions.

Vopak Moda already operates an HSC ammonia terminal that includes storage tanks and a newbuild dock with multiple deepwater berths capable of accommodating very large gas carriers. HSC siting also provides access to utilities and pipelines for supply of raw materials. Vopak Moda will build additional storage to handle the new production.

Air Liquide and INPEX will collaborate on low-carbon hydrogen production, using the former’s AutoThermal reforming (ATR) technology and proprietary carbon capture technology. The combination of ATR technology with carbon capture aims to capture at least 95% of direct CO₂ emissions from hydrogen production, resulting in the capture and permanent sequestration (CCS) of at least 1.6-million tpy of CO₂, according to the companies. 

LSB and INPEX will collaborate on low-carbon ammonia production. LSB would lead the selection of the ammonia loop technology provider, the pre-FEED, and the plant’s engineering, procurement, and construction. LSB would also be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the ammonia loop.

INPEX and LSB will sell the ammonia and finalize off-take and potential additional partnership agreements. Most of the product would be used for power generation in Asia with some volumes going to Europe and the US, the companies said. INPEX, with stakes in both hydrogen and ammonia production, is expected to be the largest investor in the overall project.

INPEX earlier this year submitted a CCS plan for its Abadi LNG project in Indonesia (OGJ Online, Apr. 6, 2023).