LNG, CCS, and hydrogen lighting revamped Inpex’s path to ‘responsible’ energy transition

Japan’s energy company Inpex has introduced a series of organizational and branding changes intended to strengthen its business framework in line with the new corporate strategy for the next ten years.

According to Inpex, the changes are meant to help implement the company’s vision and render the framework suited to the current business environment. In line with this, several units were renamed, some were restructured others, while others were discontinued. The organizational changes will take effect on April 1, 2025.

The current Technical Division will be renamed and reorganized as the Technical Headquarters. Since units such as Exploration Strategy, Digital Technology, Geoscience, Subsurface Development, and Well Engineering will be established at Inpex headquarters to provide technical support, the corresponding units at regional levels will be discontinued.

The current Hydrogen & CCUS Development Division will be restructured into the Low Carbon Solutions Division, while the Renewable Energy Division will be renamed as the Renewables, Power & Energy Solutions Division. Several units within each will also be given new names to promote the expansion and strengthening of the renewable energy business and the electric power business.

In order to promote company-wide portfolio management, the current Business Development Unit, New Ventures & Global Exploration Division will be transferred to the Corporate Strategy & Planning Division and renamed and reorganized as the Business Development Unit.

Furthermore, the Exploration Strategy Unit, Technology Headquarters will support the planning and drafting of basic policies for exploration business and the promotion of exploration business at each regional project division.

Additionally, the Global Energy Marketing Division will be reorganized, the Marine Transportation Unit will be integrated into the Supply Management Unit, while units dealing with compliance, supply chain, and diversity, equity, and inclusion will be established.

The organizational changes are meant to help implement the new Inpex Vision 2035 – Realizing a Responsible Energy Transition. Going forward, Inpex intends to undertake various initiatives to achieve the goals listed in the document.

The vision outlines the company’s long-term strategy considering the latest shifts in the global energy landscape as well as the company’s business environment. It also entails a mid-term business plan that presents specific goals and a roadmap for the 2025–2027 period.

“INPEX’s mission is to continue sustaining a stable supply of energy primarily through oil and natural gas, while making tangible contributions toward the decarbonization of society. In alignment with this vision, the company will respond to the energy demands of Japan and countries around the world while actively contributing to the transformation of the global energy landscape supporting the transition to net zero by 2050,” the firm’s statement reads.

The three pillars the company plans to leverage to achieve growth in this regard are the expansion of the natural gas and LNG business, providing lower-carbon solutions leveraging carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen, and driving initiatives in the energy and resources fields. Through these initiatives, it aims to make progress toward net zero by 2050. 

New corporate branding was introduced to reflect the changes and build what the company says will be a stronger organization rooted in the spirit of perpetual challenge. The new brand message, ‘Energy for a brighter future,’ expresses its resolve to leverage the power of the Earth, expand its business globally, and address energy issues while looking to the future, the company said.

The reorganization follows this week’s announcement that a virtual simulator developed by an affiliate of Royal HaskoningDHV was selected by the Japanese player to progress its Abadi LNG project under development in Indonesia.