HORIBA’s Gas and Liquid Analysis and Measurement Instruments Adopted for INPEX’s “Blue Hydrogen and Ammonia Production and Usage Demonstration Project”

HORIBA, Ltd. (President: Masayuki Adachi, hereinafter "HORIBA") has provided a comprehensive suite of gas and liquid analysis and measurement instruments for the Blue Hydrogen¹ and Ammonia² Production and Usage Demonstration Project led by INPEX CORPORATION (Representative Director, President & CEO: Takayuki Ueda, hereinafter "INPEX"). The equipment was procured by JGC Japan Corporation (Representative Director, President & CEO: Yasuharu Yamaguchi, hereinafter "JGC"), which is responsible for constructing the demonstration facilities, and the installation has now been completed.

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This project marks Japan’s first³ initiative to verify the entire value chain, from production to utilization, of blue hydrogen and blue ammonia derived from domestically sourced natural gas. HORIBA is comprehensively responsible for the selection, delivery, and operational support after the installation of gas and liquid analysis and measurement instruments used in the pre-treatment of natural gas, hydrogen production, and CO2 separation and recovery processes in the blue hydrogen production process. Leveraging its engineering expertise, HORIBA integrates a wide array of analytical and measurement instruments—including both its own products and those from other manufacturers—to ensure stable facility operation and enhance overall operational efficiency.

HORIBA remains committed to realizing a carbon-neutral society. The company will support the decarbonization of industries by providing advanced analytical and measurement solutions in the next-generation energy sector.

Aerial view of the demonstration plant at the Hirai district of the Higashi-Kashiwazaki Gas Field (photo courtesy of INPEX)

Background to Our Participation in the Project

With climate change mitigation now a global imperative, blue hydrogen and blue ammonia are gaining attention as key pathways toward carbon neutrality, characterized by their ability to capture and store CO2 generated during production, thereby significantly reducing emissions and environmental impact.

We have long contributed to the stable supply of energy and the improvement of operational efficiency at facilities through our analytical and measurement solutions. JGC selected HORIBA for this project—overseeing the design and construction of blue hydrogen production facilities and CO2 separation, capture, and injection systems—in recognition of HORIBA’s extensive track record of supplying equipment to diverse plants such as petrochemical and power generation facilities, its broad product portfolio, engineering capabilities for integrated systems, and comprehensive support throughout operation and maintenance.

HORIBA’s Roles

In hydrogen production from natural gas, it is essential to accurately monitor the concentrations of reaction products, including hydrogen, and impurities contained in the natural gas, including CO2, sulfur compounds, and other by-products.

We provide end-to-end support for the blue hydrogen production process by selecting and supplying the optimal gas and liquid analysis and measurement instruments—including those from other manufacturers—and by continuing to assist with their operation.

We also provide comprehensive solutions that include pre-treatment steps, such as the removal of unwanted gases and moisture that interfere with analysis and measurement, enabling accurate and stable monitoring. By handling these highly specialized technical processes in an integrated manner, we contribute to improving the overall operational efficiency of the project.

Project Overview

The demonstration test is being promoted by INPEX under NEDO’s subsidy program "Technology Development for the Utilization and Production of Ammonia as Fuel / Technological Development for Blue Ammonia Production" and the collaborative research with JOGMEC, "Demonstration test on identifying possible CO2 storage solutions utilizing domestic depleted oil and gas fields."

The new facility in the Hirai district of the Higashi-Kashiwazaki Gas Field in Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture, which is scheduled to begin full operation within fiscal year 2025 will produce 700 tons of blue hydrogen annually. The CO2 generated during the production process will be captured and injected into a reservoir in the same area, where gas production has already ceased, using CCUS technology (CO2 capture, utilization, and storage), thereby reducing emissions to the atmosphere.

The blue hydrogen produced under this project will be supplied as electricity within Niigata Prefecture through hydrogen power generation facilities, and will also be used to produce blue ammonia for supply to local users in the region.

¹ Blue hydrogen: Hydrogen produced by reforming natural gas or coal, where the CO2 generated during production is captured and stored before it is released into the atmosphere.
² Blue ammonia: Ammonia produced using blue hydrogen.
³ Source: INPEX