INPEX-led hydrogen study boosted by A$ 1 million Regional Hydrogen Hubs grant

Posted 7 June 2023

INPEX CORPORATION today announced its entity INPEX Operations Australia Pty Ltd (“INPEX”) has been jointly awarded an A$ 1 million ‘Regional Hydrogen Hubs’ grant1 from the Australian Government to conduct a feasibility study into the growth potential of a clean hydrogen market in Darwin, northern Australia.

The Darwin Clean Hydrogen Hub joint study between INPEX, Santos, Xodus and Australia’s national science agency CSIRO will explore opportunities to provide clean hydrogen solutions – with domestic and international hydrogen supply chains as potential beneficiaries.

Tetsu Murayama, INPEX President Director Australia, said the company is appreciative of the Australian Government’s A$ 1-million grant, to deliver vital studies assessing the potential of a Darwin-based Hydrogen Hub.

“The INPEX-led Darwin Clean Hydrogen Hub joint study has the potential to inform future investment decisions contributing to northern Australia’s hydrogen value chain development.

“Having played an active role in the Darwin business community for many years, we are proud to be supporting the Northern Territory’s cleaner energy future through this study,” Mr Murayama said.

The joint study also directly complements the current CSIRO-led Low Emission Hub business case being conducted with INPEX, Santos, Woodside Energy, Eni, Xodus and the Northern Territory Government.

The Darwin Clean Hydrogen Hub joint study represents a forecast 18-month program focusing on:

  • market demand for hydrogen and its derivatives (e.g. methanol and ammonia) as fuel in transport and power generation, and feedstock for chemicals
  • renewable energy sites and infrastructure for water electrolysis to produce and deliver hydrogen and its derivatives to market
  • hydrogen production from natural gas and carbon capture and storage capacity requirements
  • bulk and distributed storage requirements, and
  • domestic and international hydrogen supply chains.

INPEX seeks to develop a hydrogen business, which is one of the five net-zero businesses outlined in the company’s INPEX Vision @2022. The company plans to commercialise three or more projects globally by around 2030 and aims to produce and supply 100,000 tonnes or more of hydrogen/ammonia per year.

Related media