Dhahran, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Aramco completed the acquisition of a 50 percent equity interest in the Jubail-based Blue Hydrogen Industrial Gases Company (BHIG), Aramco and Air Products Qudra (APQ) said on Monday.
The agreement brings together experts in their respective fields to provide the Jubail Industrial City area with hydrogen, including lower-carbon hydrogen, at scale.
According to a press release issued by Saudi Aramco, BHIG targets the production of hydrogen, including lower-carbon hydrogen from natural gas — also referred to as “blue hydrogen,”— through the capture and storage of carbon dioxide. BHIG is expected to commence commercial operations to produce blue hydrogen in coordination with Aramco’s carbon capture and storage (CCS) activities in Jubail.
Saudi Aramco Executive Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development Ashraf Al Ghazzawi said: “Aramco’s investment in BHIG is expected to contribute to the development of a hydrogen network in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region.”
“This network, along with our CCS hub in Jubail, can help us capitalize on emerging opportunities both domestically and globally to reduce carbon emissions, support growth, and diversify our energy portfolio,” he added.
Meanwhile, APQ Chairman Ahmed Hababou stated: “This joint venture is another example of the steps Aramco and APQ are taking to contribute to the development of a robust hydrogen network in the Kingdom’s Eastern Region, serving the refining, chemical, and petrochemical industries.”