Aramco and Air Products Qudra have joined hands to develop a lower-carbon hydrogen production business in Saudi Arabia. Aramco signed definitive agreements to acquire an equity interest in the Blue Hydrogen Industrial Gases Company (BHIG), a subsidiary of Air Products Qudra. This move is part of Aramco's strategy to expand its portfolio of alternative energy solutions by investing in BHIG, which is focused on producing lower-carbon hydrogen while also capturing and storing CO2. The agreement includes options for Aramco to offtake hydrogen and nitrogen, aiming to establish a lower-carbon hydrogen network in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. Upon completion of the transaction, Aramco and APQ are set to equally own a 50% stake in BHIG. The collaboration is expected to create the largest hydrogen network in the Middle East, serving industries like refining, chemical, and petrochemical. BHIG's operations will align with Aramco's carbon capture and storage (CCS) activities, emphasizing the commitment to sustainability. The goal is to support the growth of a lower-carbon hydrogen marketplace and contribute to a future energy system. Aramco's Executive Vice President highlighted the company's ambition to grow its lower-carbon hydrogen business through this investment, leveraging expertise in hydrogen and carbon capture. Air Products Qudra also expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the acceleration of the hydrogen economy and the creation of a robust hydrogen network. The joint efforts of Aramco and APQ aim to drive the hydrogen agenda in the region, promoting sustainability and technological advancement in the energy sector. Overall, the collaboration signifies a positive step towards enhancing the uptake of lower-carbon hydrogen and advancing energy solutions in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.