A word from the CEO
CCS centre stage as global climate politics gets complicated
Dear Colleagues and Partners,
This week has seen two significant developments in the ongoing debate on the role of carbon capture and storage in Australia.
The passage of Donald Trump’s so-called Big Beautiful Bill through US Congress, which included broadening CCS tax credits to enhanced oil recovery projects, and the Australian Government’s awarding of major project status to the INPEX-led Bonaparte CCS project shifts the conversation in important ways.
The politics of climate change have never been straightforward but are getting more complicated as geopolitical tensions collide with carbon ideology and commercial reality.
Despite the tense international climate, governments worldwide are shifting from declaring climate ambitions to delivering on them, meaning they have no other option than to recognise the critical role of carbon capture and storage as a significant part of the solution.
The passing of Trump’s Bill saw incentives for renewables being pared back and an extension of 45Q tax credits for CCS to apply to enhanced hydrocarbon recovery projects rather than just pure storage of carbon dioxide.
That will drive more investment toward increasing oil and gas production – something Trump supports, and his opponents do not. That will increase the heat in the US CCS debate, but it is important to remember that EOR projects can be carbon neutral or even carbon negative. If the emissions sequestered in enhancing oil and gas production are greater than the emissions generated from using those fuels – and that is certainly achievable – then it should be seen as a climate win.
Regardless of US policy, governmental recognition of the importance of CCS towards credible emissions reduction is growing.
Britain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are all among countries putting increased emphasis on CCS to meet their emissions reduction targets – and in the case of Indonesia and Malaysia, identifying economic opportunities to provide storage solutions for other nations’ emissions.
Long a pioneer in CCS research and development, Australia has an opportunity to cement its leadership in carbon management.
It was very pleasing to see yesterday’s news that the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Tim Ayres, has awarded federal major project status to the Bonaparte CCS Project in the Timor Sea, offshore Darwin. Major project status recognises a project’s strategic and economic significance and supports companies in navigating the regulatory system, which is still a significant challenge in permitting new CCS projects.
CO2CRC has argued for some time that streamlining approval processes for CCS projects is essential to achieving scale, as excessive permitting time kills projects. If the rules and timeframes for project permitting are clear, the industry can invest far more confidently.
After being somewhat equivocal on CSS in its first term, this initiative shows the Albanese government is getting more deeply involved.
The Bonaparte announcement is a significant step for recognising the role of CCS in meeting Australia’s emissions reduction targets.
CCS works best at scale and over long periods of time. The geological storage of carbon dioxide is safe by design and will permanently remove millions of tons of emissions per year from emitters.
As Australia’s leading research organisation in carbon management technologies, CO2CRC is uniquely positioned at the intersection of science, education and climate innovation. We are not merely observers of the energy transition – we are engineering its foundations. Our research partners include globally respected research institutions and companies, all focused on delivering rigorous, scalable, and cost-effective solutions to drastically reduce our emissions.
At the heart of our program is the Otway International Test Centre (OITC), a world-class research facility that has anchored Australia’s CCS research for over two decades. The OITC continues to play a pivotal role in advancing CCUS technologies, supporting academic research, and training the next generation of climate and energy scientists. Maintaining and expanding the OITC is not just a scientific imperative, it is a national strategic priority.
We must lift our ambition in CCS research to secure its role in the global net-zero economy. Without robust domestic capabilities and infrastructure in Australia, we risk becoming dependent on foreign solutions or failing to decarbonise our industrial base. CO2CRC is quintessential in addressing this challenge. We are the only organisation in Australia with the research depth, operational experience, and integrated infrastructure to take carbon management technologies from laboratory to deployment.
With our research and industry partners, we are rebooting CCS research in Australia, with renewed urgency, expanded collaboration, and in alignment with our national policies.
As always, your support in this vital work is appreciated.
Dr Matthias Raab
CEO
Stanford University Hosts Successful GFV Project Workshop on CO2 Storage
What really happens to CO₂ once it’s stored underground? The GeoCquest Field Validation (GFV) Project – happening at CO2CRC’s Otway International Test Centre (OITC) – is answering that question through data, science and global collaboration.
Stanford University recently hosted an international workshop showcasing early GFV findings, from fibre optics to machine learning tools, all designed to make CCS cheaper, smarter, and more scalable worldwide.
Backed by industry leaders and top researchers, this project is a flagship example of how science drives climate impact. Click here to learn more about the story.
The global role of science in advancing carbon capture technologies: Professor Sally Benson presenting at the GFV Project Workshop at Stanford University.
Otway International Test Centre Field Trip - 16 July
Are you heading to Carbon Capture APAC Summit 2025 on 17-18 July?
Why not arrive a day early and visit our world-renowned Otway International Test Centre (OITC)?
Come and join our Field Trip on 16 July, visit the OITC, and learn about our CO2 injection experiments and research over the past 20 years.
Enjoy a comfortable return journey from Melbourne’s CBD to the OITC, located in Nirranda South, south-west Victoria. Your ticket includes travel, a guided site tour, Q&A, and lunch. This day visit will return participants to Melbourne that evening, ahead of the Carbon Capture APAC Summit 2025.
Date: July 16, 2025
Time: 7.30 am – 5.30 pm
Lunch: Provided
Ticket: $400 inc. GST
Bus pickup address: 289 Wellington Parade South, Melbourne (CO2CRC Limited head office).
There are a limited number of seats on the bus, so book now!
At the frontier of carbon innovation: The Knowledge Hub at the OITC, which will be hosting visitors on the 16 July..
The World Bank's IFC - International Finance Corporation tours CO2CRC Limited's Otway International Test Centre.
Over a two-day program of workshops and site visits, senior representatives from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) met with CO2CRC executives and CCS experts to discuss opportunities for collaboration.
CO2CRC covered all aspects of its 20 years of research and operations, from the early days demonstrating carbon storage in depleted fields through to the latest in MMV, storage optimisation, and carbon capture and storage technologies.
The representatives from the IFC were provided with a masterclass in carbon management technologies and how CO2CRC has worked tirelessly to grow industry knowledge and accelerate the deployment of CCS at scale.
On day 2, the visitors were hosted at the Otway International Test Centre (OITC), where theory meets practice and carbon storage has been operating since our first injection in 2008. With 105,252 tonnes reliably stored in deep reservoirs to date, the OITC is a true example of carbon management technologies in action.
“It was a pleasure hosting the representatives from the IFC at our offices and site, to give them a better understanding and appreciation of the role CCS can play in delivering real carbon emission abatement in developing countries,” said Paul Barraclough, CO2CRC Business Development Director.
“There are many opportunities for collaboration between our organisations, as the developing world seeks opportunities to reduce their carbon emissions in a cost-effective manner, while still delivering the infrastructure and power needed now and into the future. Governments need real options to move forward confidently, and the work done by CO2CRC can help them in this regard,” he said.
Banking on the future: CO2CRC staff got to meet representatives from the World Bank (left to right): Mitch Allison, Dr Jai Kant Pandit, K.S. Chan, Paul Barraclough, Wagner Albuquerque de Almeida, Femi Akinrebiyo, Sadesh Harichand Sookraj, Genna Petho and David Tang.
CO2CRC Joins LETA’s Associate Member Program, Strengthening Collaboration on Emissions Reduction
CO2CRC is pleased to announce its new status as an Associate Member of Low Emission Technology Australia (LETA), deepening a long-standing partnership built on shared goals and collaborative innovation.
As a world leader in carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR), CO2CRC has worked closely with LETA over many years to develop and deploy low-emission technologies that support Australia’s transition to a net zero economy.
This relationship is currently exemplified by last year’s $4.84 million Enhancing Carbon Storage Opportunities (ECSO) project—co-funded by LETA—which focuses on cost-effective site monitoring to improve how captured CO₂ is matched with suitable geological storage sites. These advances play a critical role in achieving regulatory confidence, optimising storage performance, and reducing costs with CCS.
By joining LETA’s Associate Member Program, CO2CRC becomes part of a diverse and growing industry network committed to practical solutions for reducing emissions from hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement and energy.
We’re proud to formalise this association and look forward to continuing our work with LETA and fellow members to drive innovation and deliver impactful, science-backed climate solutions.
Underground Evidence: How CO2CRC’s Data is Driving Smarter Carbon Storage Decisions
While CO2CRC continues to work with industry and governments to test and develop innovative technology for commercial carbon capture and storage projects, the company also takes every opportunity to grow our extensive operational and geological dataset on the subsurface of the OITC.
Recently, as part of the Stage 4 research program, the University of Melbourne acquired new samples of the formation water at 1500 m below the subsurface in one of the discrete intervals of the Paaratte Formation – a target for the carbon storage experiments undertaken by CO2CRC. The interval was previously sampled in 2015 at the site from the CRC-2 well, and the opportunity was taken to contribute to this dataset by sampling at a new location as part of the current program. By comparing the samples, researchers can better understand the real impact of carbon storage on the quality of formation water in deep aquifers.
The sampling process uses a non-reactive gas to push the water sample from the formation, through a sampling system where it is collected at the surface in a completely closed and pressurised system – to ensure the quality of the sample. The sample is then returned to a lab and analysed to show the presence of selected chemicals, and can be used to monitor the condition of the water in the formation.
CO2CRC Business Development Director Paul Barraclough said, “Numerous academic and research organisations throughout the world use CO2CRC’s unique datasets in their research, increasing the industry’s understanding of the subsurface and the impact of carbon dioxide when stored.”
“CO2CRC considers all applications from parties interested in testing technologies at the OITC or collecting subsurface data for research. Our existing datasets are a valuable, globally unique resource which is increasingly sought by academics and researchers as the drive for reliability in carbon storage becomes increasingly important,” said Mr Barraclough.
Deep data, real Impact: Dr Irshad Bibi, Research Fellow in Hydrogeochemistry at the University of Melbourne, with a U-tube sample from the Paaratte Formation.
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.
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 Essentials for Non-technical Professionals
24 July 2025
This course equips policy, regulatory, and program professionals with a practical understanding of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and its role in delivering on Australia’s climate, energy, and industrial strategies. Designed for non-technical participants, the course focuses on the strategic, economic, regulatory, and environmental dimensions of CCS, supported by real-world case studies and current research.
Delivered online in a workshop-style format, participants are encouraged to engage in open discussion and bring forward the questions, assumptions, or uncertainties that matter most in their roles.
Presented by our CCS tecnho regulatory expert Dr Simone de Morton.
“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
23/06/2025 CCS Developer Entropy to Purchase Carbon Storage Assets in Canada – Hart Energy. Advantage Energy subsidiary is acquiring interest in three carbon hubs for CA$20 million plus contingent payments of approximately $15 million.
19/06/2025 Only two years left of world’s carbon budget to meet 1.5C target, scientists warn – The Guardian. Breaching threshold would ramp up catastrophic weather events.
19/06/2025 Heidelberg Materials Launches World’s First Carbon Capture Facility For Cement In Norway – Carbon Herald. The SE Norway carbon capture facility, is now capable of capturing up to 400,000 metric tons of CO2 annually.
19/06/2025 BP Halts Indiana Carbon Capture Project Amid Safety and Economic Concerns – Carbon Credits.com. BP has indefinitely paused its CCS project in Indiana. The plan, aimed at making the state a hub for low-carbon hydrogen, faced strong local opposition.
19/06/2025 Did Trump’s assault on regs just knock out CCS? – Climate Wire EPA’s plan to scrap a rule curbing power plant emissions has dimmed the outlook for U.S. carbon capture and storage projects.
17/06/2025 Norway and Switzerland sign Agreement on cooperation on CCS – Norwegian Government Media Release The bilateral agreement, signed during the Longship Launch event in Oslo, will strengthen cross-border cooperation.
17/06/2025 SAP and Climeworks forge an alliance for carbon drawdown – Climeworks They plan to introduce carbon removal solutions into SAP’s net-zero strategy and co-innovate to equip companies with end-to-end solutions for carbon management.
13/06/2025 DNV has published its “Energy Transition Outlook CCS to 2050” report, forecasting that CCS is reaching a pivotal moment, with global capacity set to quadruple by 2030 – Safety4Sea. The immediate rise in capacity is being driven by short-term scale up in North America and Europe, with natural gas processing still the main application for the technology.
13/06/2025 Texas Progresses Toward CCS Primacy – Vinson and Elkins. The U.S. EPA will grant Texas the authority to directly issue Class VI permits under the Safe Drinking Water Act’s Underground Injection Control program for CCS projects.
12/06/2025 Global Investment in CCS Surges Toward $80 Billion as Climate Goals Drive Demand – Carboncredits.com Governments and businesses are investing heavily in CCS with nearly $80 billion in investment.
12/06/2025 Tracking China’s Carbon Goals: How Far Has It Come in 2025? – China Briefing. An assessment of China’s progress in reaching its carbon targets.
11/06/2025 Kapture’s breakthrough tech turns carbon into cement — and it’s ready for business – Smart Company. Climate tech startup Kapture has successfully completed a pilot project of its carbon capture tech with Western Australia’s regional energy provider Horizon Power.
09/06/2025 Climate stability will require carbon removal on a large scale — are the existing methods up to the task? – ABC. Suggests Carbon Dioxide Removal will be needed, on a large scale to meet Paris Agreement targets.
09/06/2025 How decarbonisation will help the UK’s last refineries survive – Chemistry World CCS and low-carbon hydrogen are central to any possibility of supplying liquid fuels compatible with net zero.
09/06/2025 Carbon capture method mines cement ingredients from the air – TechXplore. Scientists have developed a method to capture CO2 and turn it into metal oxalates for cement production.
07/06/2025 Clay may be a simple solution to tackle carbon pollution – earth.com. Clay, might soon play a surprising role in capturing CO₂ directly from the air.
05/06/2025 Annual carbon dioxide peak passes another milestone – Phys.org For the first time, the seasonal peak of CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere exceeded 430ppm at NOAA’s Mauna Loa Observatory on Hawaii.
05/06/2025 Havstjerne CO2 Storage Test Well In North Sea Shows Promising Results – Carbon Herald. Initial drilling for the Havstjerne CO2 storage initiative, located offshore Norway, has confirmed that the site is promising for long-term CO2 storage.
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