Woodside collects keys to new US ammonia plant, opening door to first export cargo

Woodside Energy has assumed operational control of the Beaumont New Ammonia (BNA) facility from OCI Global and is now loading the Texan plant's inaugural export cargo on the 25,400t capacity Libramont at Port of Beaumont.

The handover from the Dutch group follows successful completion of performance testing of the 1.1.m. tonne/year project – which was acquired for around $2.35 billion in September 2024 – the Australian energy giant said.

It added BNA has the potential to “approximately double US ammonia exports, contributing to regional economic growth”.

Woodside CEO, Liz Westcott, said today: "Successful completion of performance testing and assumption of operational control of the BNA facility is an important milestone in Woodside’s strategy to invest in new energy products and lower-carbon services.

“In the facility’s operational phase and in the face of current market disruptions, we remain focused on safely delivering ammonia supply to our customers.

“In the longer term, we retain our goal of supporting the development of a competitive lower-carbon ammonia sector.”

Ammonia production at BNA commenced at the very end of 2025 and output has been sold onto the domestic market since then.

While the company has not shared any details of its offtake deals, the imminent departure of the Libramont may involve a delivery to a Koch customer across the Atlantic, albeit the US group does not discuss its ammonia activity.

Canadian major Nutrien previously used the tanker to load cargoes from its Trinidad operations, units that were idled indefinitely last October amid a row with local energy officials over port access fees and natgas supply reliability.

BNA blue ammonia production delayed until next year

“Production of lower-carbon [blue] ammonia is now likely to occur after 2026 due to construction issues at the third-party feedstock supply facility,” Woodside said, adding it “continues to advance its position in the ammonia market by progressing offtake agreements from BNA”.

“Woodside has secured offtake agreements at prevailing market prices from the conventional ammonia market and further sale agreements are being advanced in line with anticipated BNA production output,” it added.

In a statement from OCI hailing the handover, the company said it has received the $470 million deferred consideration, representing 20% of total proceeds, less amounts deducted for outstanding construction obligations, certain closing-related adjustments and remaining estimated close-out costs.

“This handover marks a major milestone for OCI and for the broader ammonia industry. BNA is a first-of-its-kind, world-scale greenfield ammonia facility in the USA, delivered after more than six million man-hours of work,” it noted.

“The project was completed against a challenging US construction backdrop, including inflationary cost pressures and constrained supply chains.

“Woodside is now the operator of the facility and OCI will no longer be responsible for any construction or manufacturing activities on site.

“Our remaining obligations are limited to closing out invoices and resolving disputes related to work performed, in accordance with our contractual obligations to Woodside.”