Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Equinor (EQNR) Partners With Azane to Study Clean Ammonia

Read MoreHide Full Article

Equinor ASA (EQNR - Free Report) and Azane Fuel Solutions started a project to explore how clean ammonia can be used as a fuel to decarbonize the Norwegian offshore sector.

The project was established as AFNO 2030, Ammonia fuel for the Norwegian offshore sector 2025-2030, after a long-term discussions about ammonia bunker fuel and bunkering. The project will comprise logistical optimization, operational planning and safety aspects of ammonia which remain critical concerns.

The project is expected to meet an estimated demand for ammonia between 2025 and 2030, with an optimized fuel-value chain from production to consumption. The project will mainly focus on distributing ammonia and developing bunkering terminals at strategic locations.

As the world faces the challenges posed by greenhouse gas emissions and the depletion of fossil fuel resources, transitioning to renewable energy sources is vital. Renewable energy has become increasingly important in the global fight against climate change.

Ammonia has gained attention in recent years as a low-carbon fuel, which does not emit carbon dioxide. However, some crucial challenges that needs to be addressed are safety concerns related to ammonia toxicity and corrosiveness.

Equinor’s key strategy is to capitalize on the renewable energy space and align operations with the Paris Climate Agreement. Although the company gets most of its revenues from oil and gas, it has become a crucial player in green energy areas such as offshore wind.

Equinor can play an important role in decarbonizing the maritime industry by utilizing fuel, technologies and bunkering infrastructure required for the industry to thrive. The Norwegian energy giant is committed to demonstrating how clean ammonia can be utilized to decarbonize the Norwegian offshore sector.

Price Performance

Shares of Equinor have outperformed the industry in the past three months. The stock has gained 2.3% against the industry’s 2.6% decline.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Zacks Rank

Equinor currently carries a Zack Rank #3 (Hold).

Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked players in the energy space are Seadrill Limited (SDRL - Free Report) , Evolution Petroleum Corporation (EPM - Free Report) and PHX Minerals Inc. (PHX - Free Report) . Each of SDRL and EPM currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) while PHX carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Seadrill is a market-leading international driller with strong exposure in key strategic basins like the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Brazil and Angola. SDRL reported first-quarter 2023 earnings of 83 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 55 cents.

Seadrill has witnessed upward earnings estimate revisions for 2023 and 2024 in the past 60 days. The consensus estimate for SDRL’s 2023 and 2024 earnings per share is pegged at $2.93 and $4.01, respectively.

Evolution Petroleum is an independent energy company. EPM reported first-quarter 2023 earnings of 42 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 17 cents.

Evolution Petroleum has witnessed upward earnings estimate revisions for 2023 and 2024 in the past 60 days. The consensus estimate for EPM’s 2023 and 2024 earnings per share is pegged at $1.11 and $1.05, respectively.

PHX Minerals is an oil and natural gas mineral company. The company posted first-quarter 2023 earnings of 11 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 7 cents.

PHX has witnessed upward earnings estimate revisions for 2023 and 2024 in the past 60 days. The consensus estimate for the company’s 2023 and 2024 earnings per share is pegged at 28 cents and 45 cents, respectively.

Published in