Blue ammonia start-up delayed at Beaumont

Woodside Energy has formally assumed control of the Beaumont New Ammonia (BNA) facility in Texas, following the completion of performance testing by previous owner OCI. However, speaking at a recent press briefing for Woodside’s quarterly results, CEO Liz Westcott admitted that the switch to carbon capture and storage at the 1.1 million t/a ammonia facility was now being delayed to 2027.

OCI finalised the sale of the plant to Woodside in September 2024 for a total price of $2.3 billion, including all capital expenditure, subject to successful completion of the project and a successful start-up to ammonia production. The plant was completed last year and began operation in December 2025.

“Successful completion of performance testing and assumption of operational control of the Beaumont New Ammonia facility is an important milestone in Woodside’s strategy to invest in new energy products and lower-carbon services,” said Woodside CEO Liz Westcott. “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.”

The facility relies on Linde for supply of green hydrogen and handling of CO2 offtake, and their own part of the project has reportedly suffered construction delays. However, Westcott also pointed up commercial reasons for a slower switch to blue ammonia production. “While there’s interest in lower carbon ammonia, the uptake in demand is slower than we had forecast,” she told investors during the results presentation.