In one of the biggest studies of hydrogen exports to date, Woodside announced it had inked an agreement with JERA, Marubeni Corp and IHI Corp to explore rapidly exporting clean hydrogen to gas-hungry Japan. 

The study will appraise options to transport hydrogen from Australia as ammonia, then convert it back into hydrogen for power generation in Japan. 

According to a statement from Woodside, the scope of the research will also consider using ‘blue' hydrogen, produced using natural gas as the feedstock with carbon emissions will then be offset, as well as ‘green' hydrogen created from renewables. 

In both cases the hydrogen will be combined with nitrogen to form ammonia. The ammonia will then be shipped as a liquid. 

Woodside chief Peter Coleman said the company would "forge new energy pathways" through the research, and even went so far as to say he expected large-scale hydrogen production by 2030. 

"Woodside will jointly contribute to studying the application of hydrogen as an energy source, including in the form of ammonia," Coleman said.  

"The partners will consider further joint projects in areas where they identify synergies."