Japan’s Inpex, the operator of the Ichthys LNG export project in Australia, has joined forces with an industry partner to work on slashing production costs and carbon emissions.
Inpex said in a statement on Monday it signed an agreement with the Future Energy Exports Cooperative Research Centre (FEnEx CRC).
Headquartered in Western Australia, FEnEx CRC is a collaboration between industry, government and research institutions, but also a project initiative facilitated by the Western Australian Government’s LNG Jobs Taskforce.
Inpex said the partnership with FEnEx CRC involves research funding of A$1.5 million ($1.16 million), supporting studies on efficiency of LNG production value chains, digital technologies, and new hydrogen energy and export to market.
Hitoshi Okawa, head of Inpex Australia, said the firm welcomes the partnership with FEnEx CRC to undertake studies to “research and develop solutions for producing clean and sustainable energy in Australia with important benefits for energy importers, including Japan.”
As a member of the Australian business community for more than 30 years and the operator of Ichthys LNG, Inpex supports “high-value research and development to lower our carbon footprint, consistent with the Paris Agreement,” Okawa said.
In addition, the Japanese firm recently announced a new business development strategy which includes a commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“We look forward to working with FEnEx CRC to undertake studies to support the expansion of our energy business including our strategy for future production and supply of hydrogen,” Okawa said.