This week in energy: a fascinating chat with JERA, a milestone for ammonia and moss the boss

Each week, the Asia Natural Gas and Energy Association (ANGEA) compiles stories from the energy world that have caught our eye.

Given the region in which we operate – and our purpose – this collection of content is largely Asia-focussed. But we also look further afield, knowing that developments, trends and technology from around the world also have an impact across our region.

Here’s what’s resonated over the past couple of weeks…

A fascinating chat with JERA
JERA is not only Japan’s largest power generation company but also extremely influential across the broader Asian energy landscape – so any interview with Chairman and Global CEO Yukio Kani is likely to be wide-ranging and engaging.

His recent chat with S&P Global Commodity Insights certainly lived up to that billing, covering the short-term and long-term future of LNG IN Asia, the role of gas in energy transition and fuels of the future.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3NrYFBk

Energising Japan-South Korea cooperation
Speaking of Japan and power generation, it was very encouraging to read reports this week that economic and trade officials from Japan and South Korea were actively looking at more cooperation around energy, including LNG imports.

As South Korea’s deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance Choo Kyung-ho noted, no two countries in the world are more dependent on LNG imports than Japan and Korea.

Read more: https://s.nikkei.com/3ATNVEq

Big Australian prospect gets a boost
For many years, the Browse gas field off the Western Australian coastline loomed as a potential boost for Asian LNG supply – albeit a project that posed complex challenges in addition to the obvious opportunity.

But BP’s decision to buy joint venture partner Shell’s stake in Browse could help take Australia’s “biggest untapped conventional gas resource” a step closer to development. Another JV partner, ANGEA member Woodside Energy, has flagged the possibility of adding a carbon capture component to Browse and expressed “cautious optimism” about progress on the project.

Read more: https://reut.rs/40TFbbR

Development of Western Australia's offshore Browse gas field is back in focus again with @WoodsideEnergy, buoyed by strong demand forecasts for global LNG markets. #lng #lngindustryhttps://t.co/TgT51tEskM

— Upstream (@UpstreamOnline) March 27, 2023

US Venture lands major Asian deal
ANGEA often speaks about the need to bring online more global gas supply to meet Asia’s requirements, so it’s extremely positive to see US-based Venture Global LNG strengthening its links with our region.

Last week Venture Global signed a deal with JERA that will see it send LNG from its CP2 project in Louisiana to Japan for 20 years.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3NpgJfF

More exciting hydrogen news for Singapore
It’s well-known that hydrogen is likely to form a major part of Singapore’s energy mix – potentially has much as 50 per cent by 2050.

There were a couple of exciting Hydrogen announcements over the past week featuring ANGEA members and leading Singapore conglomerate Keppel.

Woodside Energy will supply hydrogen to Keppel Data Centres (https://bit.ly/3HI8c3H )

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil and Keppel Infrastructure are collaborating on low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia opportunities  for scalable commercial and industrial applications (https://bit.ly/442vISm )

A milestone for ammonia
There was a relatively low-key but highly significant development in Japan over the past fortnight, with the first delivery of certified “low carbon” ammonia for use in power generation.

The shipment – from energy company Aramco – is likely to be the first of many as Japan and other jurisdictions in Asia increasingly move towards co-fired generation, using either ammonia or hydrogen.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3VAYAgI

How does utilizing blue ammonia contribute to a lower-carbon future?

Learn how👇#aramco pic.twitter.com/TA1im3JBJ1

— aramco (@aramco) April 23, 2023

Moss the boss?
Not strictly energy-related but given the focus on and need for carbon capture solutions over the next few decades, news this week about the capabilities of moss definitely got our attention.

Turns out the humble, low-lying plants are the unsung heroes of the botanical world when it comes to sequestering carbon – capturing up to six times more CO2 than their “rivals.”

Read more: https://bit.ly/3M0vswf

ANGEA is an industry association representing LNG and natural gas producers, energy buyers, suppliers and companies in APAC. Based in Singapore, it works in partnership with governments and societies across the region to deliver reliable and secure energy solutions that achieve national economic, energy security, social and environmental objectives and meet global climate goals.

Main image by American Public Power Association on Unsplash