Beaumont New Ammonia Reaches Initial Production
The Beaumont New Ammonia facility in Texas achieves first ammonia production as OCI Global prepares to hand over operations to Woodside Energy ahead of commercial start-up in 2026.
www.woodside.com
The Beaumont New Ammonia (BNA) facility in southeast Texas has produced its first ammonia following completion of systems testing, marking the initial phase of commissioning. The milestone confirms operational readiness of the plant as it transitions toward full commercial operation under a planned handover from OCI Global to Woodside Energy in early 2026.
Commissioning progress and production timeline
First ammonia production indicates that key process units and supporting systems have passed initial verification and are operating as designed. Following handover, commercial ammonia production is expected to begin in early 2026. Production of lower-carbon ammonia is targeted for the second half of 2026, subject to completion of additional verification, performance testing, and operational preparedness activities.
These remaining commissioning steps are intended to ensure that the facility enters sustained operation in compliance with regulatory, safety, and contractual requirements.
Facility capacity and market positioning
BNA is designed with a production capacity of approximately 1.1 million tonnes of ammonia per annum. The plant is intended to supply both conventional ammonia and, in a later phase, lower-carbon ammonia, supporting demand from fertilizer, industrial, and emerging energy markets.
Interest in lower-carbon ammonia continues to grow globally, particularly in Europe and Asia, where ammonia is being evaluated as a means of supporting energy security and decarbonisation strategies, including as a hydrogen carrier and marine fuel.
Offtake agreements and customer engagement
Woodside has finalised agreements with multiple global customers for the supply of conventional ammonia from the BNA facility. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2026 and continue through year-end under contracts linked to prevailing market prices. Additional offtake agreements are under discussion to align with the facility’s expected output profile, including volumes of lower-carbon ammonia once production begins.
This phased commercial approach allows BNA to enter the market with established demand while preparing for future lower-carbon supply chains.
Operational transition and next steps
In the period leading up to handover, OCI Global and Woodside Energy will continue joint activities focused on system validation, performance benchmarking, and workforce readiness. These steps are intended to support a controlled transition into steady-state operations.
Once fully operational, the Beaumont New Ammonia facility has the potential to significantly increase US ammonia production capacity, positioning the site as a key export-oriented hub serving both conventional and lower-carbon ammonia markets.
www.woodside.com
