Novatek cooperates with Japan on ammonia, hydrogen and CCUS projects

Sinochem News, according to World Natural Gas News on September 2, Russian natural gas producer Novatek and the Japanese government have signed a memorandum of cooperation on ammonia, hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS)

The agreement between Novatek and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan was signed on September 2 as part of the Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok, Russia

Specifically, the two parties intend to support each other's projects for the production and sale of ammonia and hydrogen in Russia and Japan, as well as the implementation of carbon capture and storage technologies

In particular, the memorandum stipulates information exchange and research in these fields, as well as the implementation of pilot projects, and provides national support for the formulation of policies, low-carbon product standards and requirements in the field of decarbonization

Leonid Mikhelson, Chairman of Novatek’s Management Committee, said: “This memorandum expands government support for our climate projects, which is important for Novatek to further increase LNG production while correspondingly reducing our carbon footprint.

"The memorandum will also help strengthen economic ties between Russia and Japan

Also on September 2, Novatek and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) announced plans to cooperate on low-carbon projects

The two parties signed a strategic cooperation agreement, expressing that they will cooperate in Russia's hydrogen and ammonia production projects, carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies, and renewable energy projects (including ammonia and hydrogen production projects in the Yamal Peninsula)

Mikhelson said: "We are actively studying various options to further reduce Novatek's current low carbon footprint by using renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen-based fuels in LNG projects

"This strategic cooperation agreement provides us with opportunities to cooperate with Japanese companies and financial institutions to develop our low-carbon solutions, attract investment, and expand the scope of equipment and technology suppliers

Mikhelson added: "In addition, this provides an opportunity for us to sell our clean fuel products to a wider range of consumers in Japan to reduce total carbon emissions