Policy and regulatory settings critical for CCS to play its role
Dear Colleagues and Partners,
CO2CRC has argued for some time that putting the right policy and regulatory settings in place for carbon management technologies is the single biggest thing governments can do to enable carbon capture and storage to play its role in meeting emissions reduction targets.
So, I was delighted to hear Resources Minister Madeleine King clearly outline such a position in Canberra last week.
Speaking at the launch of an excellent EY report on the potential of CCS commissioned by Low Emission Technology Australia, the Minister highlighted the critical role the technology can play in decarbonising hard-to-abate industries across Australia like steel, cement and chemical production.
She also emphasised that CCS will also play a role in reducing the emission intensity of gas at the point source of production.
Mirroring CO2CRC’s own position Ms King said: “CCS will not be a silver bullet. But it has the very great potential to work alongside other efforts to reduce emissions.”
“The task of reaching net zero is a significant challenge, but it simply must be met, all tools must be applied.”
She also highlighted that Australia has the right elements to be an important player in global CCS value chains.
“We have the right geology, the right infrastructure, and the right skills to be at the forefront of commercial development of CCS.”
Pleasingly, the Minister said the Australian Government was committed “to ensure the right policy and regulatory settings are in place for industry to make investment decisions on their projects.”
This is precisely CO2CRC’s approach, and was the driver behind our creation two years ago of our Regulatory Affairs Taskforce to work toward these goals.
Developments in Australia and around the world are confirming that the path to net zero cannot be traversed without carbon capture and storage.
Week by week, we see evidence that the rollout of renewals is not occurring at the pace required to meet near-term and midterm emissions reduction targets.
In this context, our research and development work is critical to confirming the technologies that can drive us to these targets.
Despite the shrill claims of some opponents, CCS works and is proven. The role of R&D includes identifying process improvement, operational efficiencies, and economies of scale.
The benefits of this work to society cannot be underestimated.
The work we do is essential to the whole net-zero story. It is essential to the continued development of technology to lower the cost of emission reduction.
This is true of traditional carbon capture and storage as well as emerging approaches such as direct air capture and energy storage.
CCS must be part of Australia’s pathway to net zero, and our work is essential in supporting that transition.
Dr Matthias Raab
CEO
Charting a course for CCS in eastern Australia
CO2CRC CEO Dr. Matthias Raab joined government and industry leaders at Parliament House earlier this week for the official launch of a new report on the economic potential of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in eastern Australia. The report, commissioned by LETA and prepared by EY-Parthenon’s Economics team, outlines how CCS can play a pivotal role in Australia’s industrial decarbonisation and long-term energy security.
The event featured remarks from the Hon. Madeleine King, Minister for Resources, who underscored CCS as essential to meeting Australia’s net-zero targets. The report demonstrates that CCS is not only an emissions reduction tool but also a driver of regional economic growth and a means to future-proof Australia’s export industries.
LETA Acting CEO Damian Dwyer noted that the findings present “an exciting economic prospect that could support Australian manufacturing, strengthen sovereign capability, and play to Australia’s strengths in the creation of a new CCS industry.” With Australia’s geological advantages and technical expertise, the opportunity to lead in global carbon storage is tangible.
CO2CRC looks forward to unpacking the report’s insights over the coming weeks and continuing its leadership in advancing CCS research and deployment.
The economic opportunity of carbon capture and storage in eastern Australia: Damian Dwyer, Acting CEO of LETA, speaks to attendees at Parliament House during the launch of a new report.
CO2CRC technologies recognised in global CCS report
CO2CRC has been recognised in the newly published State of the Art: CCS Technologies 2025, a flagship international report highlighting key technologies set to shape the future of emissions reduction.
Released on 29 July 2025, the annual compendium showcases more than 160 innovations from over 80 organisations worldwide. CO2CRC features prominently for two of its standout technologies: CO2sorb and HyCaps.
HyCaps, profiled on page 50 of the report, combines solvent absorption and membrane separation in a single process to achieve efficient carbon capture with reduced energy requirements. It’s designed to efficiently capture carbon dioxide while offering the flexibility of modular system; suitable even for facilities with tight footprints. The report identifies Hycaps as a promising pathway for clean energy development.
CO2sorb, profiled on page 48 of the report, is an adsorbent developed to remove CO2 efficiently from high pressure natural gas, biogas and hydrogen applications.
The report, offers a comprehensive overview of CCS technologies across the value chain, including capture, transport and storage. It positions solutions like those from CO2CRC as critical to moving from aspiration to action in the global effort to achieve net-zero emissions.
CCS Technologies: Download the report to learn about CO2CRC’s CO2SORB (page 48) and HYCAPS (page 50).
Tiny bubbles, big promise: How microbubble CO₂ injection could transform carbon storage
In the quest to progress carbon management technologies, some of the most promising innovations are unfolding far below our feet, and in this case, they’re bubbling. A groundbreaking experiment at the OITC is testing the potential of microbubbles, tiny CO₂ bubbles mixed with water, to make underground carbon storage cheaper and more efficient.
What are microbubbles—and why do they matter?
Microbubbles are minuscule carbon dioxide bubbles, each less than 100 microns in diameter (smaller than the width of a human hair). When dispersed in water and injected underground, these tiny bubbles behave very differently from conventional CO₂ gas. They’re less buoyant, dissolve more rapidly, and spread more evenly: key traits that could make carbon capture and storage (CCS) more widespread.
According to David Tang, a researcher involved in the microbubble project, this approach represents a significant departure from traditional CO₂ injection methods, which typically use dense, supercritical CO₂. “Microbubbles stay mixed with water longer, helping CO₂ dissolve faster and stay put underground,” he explains, “It makes better use of the reservoir.”
Efficiency in an imperfect world
The microbubble approach accelerates the trapping mechanism, enhances storage, and reduces costs. The test is being carried out at the Otway International Test Centre in what experts call a “sub-optimal” reservoir; exactly the kind of less-than-perfect site that would normally be overlooked for CO₂ storage. If microbubbles can work in these conditions, the technology could unlock similar sites around the globe, many located closer to industrial CO₂ sources.
Up to 10,000 tons of CO₂ will be injected during this trial, matching a previous experiment using conventional methods. That allows researchers to make a direct comparison of how well microbubbles improve CO₂ dispersion, dissolution, and long-term stability underground.
Monitoring and managing risk
Injecting anything underground requires careful monitoring. The CO2CRC team is deploying a suite of tools to track the microbubble plume, including seismic imaging, pressure sensors, and advanced logging techniques between the injection well and an up-dip monitoring well located 100 metres away.
Microbubbles reduced buoyancy makes them less likely to migrate which is one of the key success factors in CO₂ storage. “Even if CO₂ behaves differently than expected, the system is designed with multiple safeguards,” says Tang.
A glimpse into the future of CCS
If this pilot proves successful, it could shift the paradigm for global carbon storage. Microbubble injection may allow CO₂ to be stored safely in reservoirs previously deemed unsuitable—cutting transportation costs, bringing CCS closer to emission sources, and making the entire process more viable for industries under pressure to decarbonise.
Already, the research has intrigued industry watchers. “There’s strong interest in seeing whether the lab results, like enhanced pore space use and reduced leakage risk, hold up at scale,” says Tang.
Amid the push for a low-carbon future, innovations like the microbubble CO₂ injection offer more than scientific novelty: they represent practical, scalable tools that could change the face of carbon storage. At CO2CRC, researchers are proving that even the tiniest bubbles can make a big impact.
Reshaping the low-carbon future: an aerial view of CO2CRC’s CO2 injection and storage test facility, the Otway International Test Centre (OITC), where the microbubble project is commencing shortly.
Carbon Capture APAC Summit 2025 spotlights real-world deployment challenges and readiness
Industry leaders and technology innovators gathered in Melbourne earlier this month for the Carbon Capture APAC Summit 2025, with a clear message: carbon capture and storage (CCS) must move swiftly from lab-scale pilots to commercial-scale operations if the region is to meet its decarbonisation goals.
Speaking on a high-level panel titled “From Labs to Large Scale: Commercializing Cutting-Edge Carbon Capture Technologies,” CO2CRC Chief Commercial Officer Kwong Soon Chan called for greater attention to both the technical and non-technical barriers facing the industry in the face of carbon management technologies.
“It’s not just about the engineering,” Chan said. “We also need to address regulatory approvals and community acceptance. Without social license, even the most promising technologies won’t scale.”
Chan highlighted the Otway International Test Centre (OITC), CO2CRC’s flagship facility, as uniquely positioned to bridge this gap. “OITC is ready for business,” he said. “We have strong community support and the necessary permits in place. That puts us in a position to support scale-up and demonstration of CCS and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies, for the benefit of our members and the broader industrial sector.”
The panel also examined the role of international cooperation, particularly in sharing operational knowledge and lessons learned. “CO2CRC was built on collaboration between government, industry and researchers,” Chan noted. “That collaborative model is what allows us to fast-track the development of fit-for-purpose solutions for our partners.”
He also pointed to the importance of understanding the limitations of individual technologies and combining them for greater efficiency. “No one solution will fit all. That’s why we’re developing hybrid platforms like HyCaps, which integrate multiple carbon removal approaches,” he said.
Chan was joined on the panel by a diverse group of experts, including moderator Paul Feron from CSIRO, Christine Irvin (Oxy Low Carbon Ventures), Haoxin Xu (Ramboll), Damian Dwyer (Low Emission Technology Australia), and Greg Ross (KC8 Capture Technologies), each offering unique perspectives on advancing carbon capture at scale.
“The pathway is clear,” Chan said. “Now it’s about aligning technology, trust, and momentum to get there.”
CDR challenges and opportunities: the panel at the Carbon Capture APAC Summit 2025, including (left to right): Panel Chair Paul Feron (CSIRO), Kwong Soon Chan (CO2CRC), Haoxin Xu (Ramboll), Christine Irvin (Oxy Low Carbon Ventures), Damian Dwyer (Low Emission Technology Australia) and Greg Ross (KC8 Capture Technologies).
Field trip: Summit delegates visit Australia's premier carbon capture test site
To coincide with the Carbon Capture APAC Summit 2025, a group of international delegates visited the Otway International Test Centre (OITC) on Wednesday to explore cutting-edge developments in carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS).
Delegates going to the summit joined us the day before for a bus trip to the OITC, guided tour of the facilities, presentations, Q&A, and lunch.
Located in Victoria’s southwest and operated by CO2CRC, the OITC is globally recognised as one of the most advanced sites for testing and monitoring CO₂ storage in real geological formations. The visit included eight summit guests, all working in energy, policy, or climate research roles.
During the tour, delegates were briefed on decades of field data, real-time monitoring systems, and the centre’s work supporting safe and cost-effective carbon storage. They also had the opportunity to observe injection sites and learn about emerging technologies aimed at improving CCUS reliability and scalability.
The contingent included visitors from Korea’s GS E&C, a company specializing in the engineering, procurement, and construction of CCUS facilities. We also hosted members from Australian government departments of Department of Industry, Science and Resources and Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Participants also learnt about CO2CRC’s role in carbon management technologies through research projects with the Australian Government, RITE, CSIRO, Stanford University and the University of Melbourne.
The visit highlighted the critical role of applied research and demonstration in advancing carbon management technologies. Through collaboration between industry, government and science, the OITC continues to support the reliable and cost-effective deployment of CCUS in Australia and globally.
Visitors to the OITC – left to right: Kwong Soon Chan, CO2CRC, Jamil Adams, DISR, Frances Page Pimenta, DCCEEW, Jo Bunford, DISR, Yong-tak Choi & Jin-tae Kim, GS E&C, Dr Max Watson & Dr Simone de Morton, CO2CRC.
Precision in motion: Expanding the OITC toolkit with gravity monitoring
CO2CRC’s latest monitoring campaign at the Otway International Test Centre (OITC) has welcomed an exciting addition: a gravity meter, generously loaned by the AuScope Subsurface Observatory at the University of Melbourne.
The instrument, currently being tested at CO2CRC’s East Melbourne office, will be deployed alongside tiltmeters and seismometers, aimed at better understanding subsurface responses to CO₂ injection.
Michael Rieger, CO2CRC Geoscientist and key lead on the instruments use at the OITC, sees this addition as a significant boost to the monitoring array. ”I am particularly interested in the mechanical responses of the subsurface to the injection of supercritical CO₂. The addition of tiltmeters, seismometers, and now gravity measurements complements our existing infrastructure; for example, our fibre-optic acoustic and strain-sensing capabilities. This multi-faceted monitoring campaign will provide us with unprecedented insights into reservoir behaviour and open up exciting frontiers in geomechanical modelling,” he said.
The scope of this component of the monitoring campaign includes five borehole tiltmeters, coupled with broadband seismometers, designed to capture nano-scale surface deformation and microseismicity associated with the upcoming Microbubble injection experiment. In addition, the gravity trial will assess the viability of detecting changes in subsurface mass resulting from the displacement of in-situ reservoir fluids by the less dense CO₂.
This collaboration with CSIRO and AuScope Subsurface Observatory at the University of Melbourne, continues valuable research partnerships, and demonstrates CO2CRC’s commitment to innovation and collaboration in CCS.
Tracking CO₂, Nanometre by Nanometre: Geoscientist, Michael Rieger, with the gravity meter at CO2CRC’s East Melbourne office testing the latest addition to the Otway Stage 4 monitoring campaign, thanks to a collaboration with AuScope and the University of Melbourne.
Sponsorship opportunities now available
As the world races toward clean energy, the reality remains: hydrocarbons still power much of our global demand. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies offer a vital bridge — cutting emissions while safeguarding energy security. Australia stands at the forefront of this opportunity. This year’s symposium
theme is ‘The Role of CCS in Confronting Energy Realities’.
The 2026 CO2CRC Symposium will unite over 200 delegates and 50+ expert speakers across three days of high-level insights, networking and collaboration. Held at the award-winning RACV venue, this premier event features:
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The latest findings from the Otway International Test Centre
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Key updates across industry-led CCS projects
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Policy briefings from senior government officials
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World-class speakers from industry, academia and government
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Welcome drinks and a gala awards dinner
Now’s the time to engage. Whether you’re looking to lead the conversation or support CCS innovation, this is your moment.
Super Early Bird tickets launching soon.
Full program announcement to follow.
CO2CRC Training and Education
At CO2CRC, we believe that effective CCUS education and training is a vital element in shaping a sustainable, low-emission future. As such, we are dedicated to equipping a wide array of stakeholders, including industry experts, policymakers, investors, scientists, and the general public, with the knowledge and tools necessary to achieve their emission reduction targets. CO2CRC provides a range of general CCUS educational courses as well as technology specific and tailored CCUS training. Upcoming courses over the next few months include CCS Fundamentals. Contact Max Watson for more information.
CCS Fundamentals Course
Melbourne
8 October 2025, 8.30am – 5.00pm (online)
This 1-day course covers the fundamentals of capture and geological storage of CO2. Fossil fuel-based energy generation, production and separation of CO2-rich natural gas, as well as cement, ammonia, iron and steel production are major source of anthropogenic CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage, or CCUS, involves the long-term storage of captured CO2 emissions in subsurface geologic formations.
This course, led by CO2CRC’s technical experts, leveraging experiences from past industry background and the CO2CRC Otway International Test Centre’s CO2 storage operations, covers all aspects of the CCUS chain, including effective CO2 capture, transport, storage and monitoring. It explores the challenges of the current technology of geological storage, monitoring and verification including examples from working projects around the world.
It reviews technologies adapted from the petroleum industry, as well as new approaches critical to CCUS. As successful CCUS deployment also require risk management, economic drivers, appropriate regulation, clarity on liability issues and community acceptance, these aspects of CCUS and the corresponding opportunities for appropriately skilled organisations and individuals are also discussed.
“On behalf of Cooper Energy, I commend CO2CRC for their excellent CCUS course. It provided a comprehensive overview of the opportunities, complexities and challenges across all aspects the carbon capture, utilisation and storage sectors.” – James Clarke, Cooper Energy.
Limit of 20 places available. Secure your spot today:
Contact Max Watson or read for more information.
Follow CO2CRC today on LINKEDIN to keep up to date with the latest news on our ground-breaking demonstration and research projects.
Energy Transition News
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25/07/2025 ICJ: What the world court’s landmark opinion means for climate change – Carbon Brief. The highest court of the UN has issued a landmark “advisory opinion” stating that nations can be held legally accountable for their greenhouse-gas emissions.
25/07/2025 ExxonMobil Launches Fuel Cell-Based Carbon Capture Pilot in Rotterdam – Carbon Herald ExxonMobil Benelux has started construction on a new pilot project in Rotterdam that combines cutting-edge carbon capture with clean energy production.
24/07/2025 Trump kills Twiggy Forrest’s US green hydrogen dream – The Sydney Morning Herald. “Twiggy” Forrest has terminated a major hydrogen project in the US as Donald Trump slashes tax breaks for clean energy investments and guts programs aimed at tackling climate change.
24/07/2025 Ocean-Based Solutions: The Missing Link In Shipping’s Decarbonization Strategy – Carbon Herald. The ocean has long-been shipping’s highway to commerce. Now it could become its pathway to decarbonization.
23/07/2025 Woodside takes $214m hit after ditching major US hydrogen project – AFR Woodside Energy will take a $213.5 M profit hit after abandoning a major hydrogen project in the United States.
23/07/2025 Pilot initiates courtship process for massive Perth Basin gas play – The Age Pilot Energy has kicked off a formal courtship process to secure farm-out partners at the company’s expansive offshore gas permit in WA’s North Perth Basin.
23/07/2025 Concrete that lasts centuries and captures carbon? AI just made it possible – Science Daily. Allegro-FM achieves breakthrough scalability for materials research, enabling simulations 1,000 times larger than previous models.
23/07/2025 BlackRock and Eni’s $1.2 Billion Deal to Push Carbon Capture – carboncredits.com BlackRock is to acquire a 49.99% stake in Eni’s CCUS business, valued at around €1 billion.
15/07/2025 Real carbon price a ‘risk to viability’, says ACCI – The Australian. Australia’s biggest business body is warning an overly ambitious 2035 emissions reduction target will undermine the “productivity, competitiveness and viability.”
14/07/2025 Trump legislation preserves tax credits for carbon capture – Cemnet. Despite withdrawing US$3.7bn for green energy projects, the Trump administration has preserved federal 45Q tax credit as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”.
12/07/2025 CCS to Grow 4x by 2030: It Is a Turning Point for Climate Action? – Carbon Credits.com. CCS alone can’t fix the climate crisis, but it can help close the gap.
10/07/2025 Australian government grants Bonaparte CCS status – Petroleum Australia The Australian government has granted Major Project Status to the INPEX-led Bonaparte CCS project, marking a significant step forward in the nation’s efforts to advance a low-carbon future.
09/07/2025 India Partners with Norway On Carbon Capture for Deepwater Energy Push – Carbon Herald. India is collaborating with Norway, on deepwater oil and gas exploration alongside CCS.
08/07/2025 Microsoft buys 2.95m tons of carbon removal credits from CCS project in Denmark – Datacenterdynamics. Credits generated by project Gaia, an EfW joint venture between CIP and Vestforbrænding.
07/07/2025 £60m raised to advance world-first cement CCS project – construction enquirer. Five cement and lime giants have raised £60m to build the world’s first carbon capture scheme to decarbonise UK cement production.
04/07/2025 New projects revive hopes for east coast hydrogen exports – AFR Eastern Australia’s ambitions to establish itself as a world hub for clean hydrogen have been resurrected after the federal government awarded $432 million to a plant planned by Orica and a rival project was unveiled by Port of Newcastle.
04/07/2025 ‘Largest’ dedicated carbon capture research facilities launched in India – Institute of Material Minerals and Mining. Carbon Clean’s Global Innovation Centre will be based in Navi Mumbai.
04/07/2025 Feds announce funding for 5 Alberta carbon capture projects – Global News Canada has announced $21.5 million for five Alberta projects to lower the cost of CCS.
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