Amsterdam, Netherlands | December 29, 2025 – OCI Global (OCI) has confirmed that the Beaumont New Ammonia (BNA) facility in Beaumont, Texas has commenced ammonia production following the successful completion of systems testing, marking a major milestone for one of North America’s most significant new ammonia projects.
The start of production signals the transition of the project from construction into early operational phases, with final commissioning and operational readiness activities continuing ahead of the planned handover to Woodside Energy in early 2026.
Table of Contents
Large-Scale Capacity Reaches Operational Phase
Phase 1 of the Beaumont New Ammonia Project has a design capacity of 1.1 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of ammonia. Construction of the first train is now more than 97% complete, with OCI continuing to manage construction, commissioning, and start-up activities.
Initial ammonia production is based on natural gas feedstock, with further emissions reductions planned as carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) infrastructure becomes fully operational.
Ownership, Project Background, and Execution
The project was originally developed as the OCI Clean Ammonia Project and was acquired by Woodside Energy in late 2024. Following the acquisition, the project was renamed Beaumont New Ammonia, with Woodside taking full ownership while retaining OCI as construction manager through Phase 1 completion.
OCI brings extensive experience to the development, having designed, built, and operated multiple ammonia facilities globally, including plants using similar configurations to the Beaumont project.
Lower-Carbon Ammonia and Carbon Capture Integration
Once CCS systems are fully operational, ammonia produced at Beaumont is expected to achieve less than 35% of the lifecycle emissions intensity of conventional, unabated ammonia, based on recognised carbon intensity methodologies.
The facility is designed to become the world’s first ammonia plant paired with autothermal reforming (ATR) and up to 95% carbon dioxide capture, representing a significant step forward in large-scale lower-carbon ammonia production.
This emissions profile positions Beaumont as a strategically important supplier for sectors where lifecycle emissions performance is increasingly critical.
End-use markets explicitly identified by Woodside: Ammonia as a Marine Fuel
Woodside has identified power generation, industrial feedstocks and marine fuels as a key end-use market for ammonia produced at the Beaumont facility, alongside power generation and industrial applications. As the shipping industry accelerates its search for scalable alternatives to conventional marine fuels, ammonia is emerging as a leading candidate for deep-sea vessel decarbonisation.
Lower-carbon ammonia offers the potential for carbon-free combustion at the point of use, and projects such as Beaumont are expected to underpin early adoption by providing the scale and reliability required by shipowners and bunker suppliers.
Implications for Ammonia Bunkering Development
With production now underway and a capacity of 1.1 mtpa, the Beaumont New Ammonia Project strengthens the foundation for future ammonia bunkering infrastructure in North America.
The availability of large-scale supply is viewed as a critical prerequisite for the development of safe ammonia storage, handling, and bunkering operations at ports. Facilities on the US Gulf Coast are expected to play a central role as ammonia-fuelled vessels gradually enter commercial service.
Strategic Importance of the US Gulf Coast Location
Located in Beaumont, Texas, the project benefits from the U.S. Gulf Coast’s established energy ecosystem, including access to natural gas supply, export terminals, pipeline networks, and major shipping routes.
As investment in hydrogen derivatives and lower-carbon fuels accelerates, the Gulf Coast continues to consolidate its position as a global hub for alternative fuels, with Beaumont New Ammonia adding scale and diversification to the region’s evolving energy portfolio.
Commercial Outlook and Market Demand
Woodside has highlighted strong long-term fundamentals for ammonia, with global demand forecast to double by 2050, and lower-carbon ammonia expected to account for nearly two-thirds of total demand.
During the initial phase of production, ammonia from the Beaumont facility is expected to be marketed under short-term offtake arrangements, with Woodside targeting a mix of commercial structures to optimise value as lower-carbon markets continue to mature.
Source: OCI Global | Woodside Energy