Avina Clean Hydrogen Concludes FEED, FEL-3 for Gulf Coast Clean Ammonia Facility

Vishal Shah, Founder & CEO of Avina Clean Hydrogen, said its Texas Gulf Coast Clean Ammonia facility will leverage existing energy infrastructure and make the United States a leading producer of next-generation fuels in response to the company’s recent completion of front-end engineering design (FEED) and front-end-loading for its Gulf Coast Clean Ammonia facility in Texas.

At 2,200 metric tons per day (MTPD) and 800,000 MTPA, the facility will blend blue and electrolytic hydrogen to create clean ammonia to satisfy global clean-fuel demand. A final investment decision is scheduled for 2025; operations may begin in 2028, representing the first FEED completion for a large-scale clean ammonia facility in the United States.

“We are grateful to industry players such as KBR, Larsen & Toubro, and EXCEL that have each brought their expertise to this project,” Shah said.

The facility aligns with Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) standards, which comply with European Union guidelines. Avina’s facility also connects to the Texas Gulf Coast’s natural gas and CO₂ sequestration infrastructure.

Rendering of Gulf Coast Clean Ammonia facility; image credit: Avina

Project Specifics

• Flexible Hydrogen Sources: The facility will integrate up to 280 MTPD of blue hydrogen to produce up to 600,000 MTPA of blue ammonia. Avina’s FEED process includes partnerships with electrolyzer manufacturers and renewable energy suppliers to develop and optimize the plant design.
• Pre-Certification: It will produce low-carbon-intensity ammonia for the European RFNBO compliance markets at competitive rates. The Korean Energy Economics Institute granted the facility Tier 1 Clean Hydrogen Pre-Certification with a well-to-gate carbon-intensity score of 0.04 kgCO₂e/kgH₂.
• Oil & Gas Sector Partnerships: Avina will leverage a large-scale system of pipelines, storage, and terminal facilities in the Texas Gulf Coast region.
• Water Supply and Interconnection Studies: The company entered a long-term water supply agreement with the local district. This allows enough water access to produce 800,000 MTPA of clean ammonia, with interconnection studies performed to ensure access to 1 GW of transmission capacity.

Avina’s Partners

EXCEL managed constructability for the FEED scope, including an engineering design of the ammonia synthesis loop, hydrogen and ammonia storage, electrolytic hydrogen production, renewable power integration, and an engineering design of outside-battery-limits facilities.

“EXCEL is excited to have contributed to the successful completion of the FEED phase for the Avina Clean Hydrogen project,” said Matthew Shoriak, Executive Vice President of EXCEL Group. “Our EPC Front-End Services division leveraged decades of expertise, while working with the project partners, to deliver actionable information for enhancing project certainty with our client. This milestone and technology marks another “first” in the EXCEL portfolio of clean ammonia projects. EXCEL is eager to continue our collaboration throughout the entire project lifecycle, as well as further contributions to Avina’s future endeavors.”

Prior to FEED completion, KBR delivered the plant’s basic engineering design package and continue to support design activities. This support reinforces an advanced, efficient system designed to fulfill strict environmental and operational standards.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) headed the overall FEED effort with its engineering, procurement, and modularization capabilities, supporting the project’s design and cost/time estimation.

“We are glad to have contributed to this initiative in large-scale clean ammonia production, which aligns with our commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions,” said Derek M. Shah, Senior Vice President & Head, L&T Energy Green Mfg. & Development. “Our integrated capabilities and track record in project management, advanced design, and engineering, along with modular fabrication expertise, will ensure high standards of execution for this project.”