A word from the CEO
A strong finish to a productive year
As we approach the end of another dynamic and productive year, I am proud to reflect on the advancement of CCUS technologies in Australia and globally. Together, CO2CRC, our members, and partners have cemented Australia’s position as a leader in the field and continued to pave the way for technology and innovation for a low-emissions future.
One of the standout achievements this year occurred just a few days ago with the injection of the 100,000th ton of CO2 at the Otway International Test Centre. The milestone underscores the Centre’s position as a world-class facility for CCUS innovation. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team and research partners, who continue to drive advancements that shape the global CCUS landscape. It also highlights Australia’s critical role in addressing the global challenge of reducing emissions through science-based solutions.
Along with the successful commissioning of Santos’ Moomba CCS project in South Australia and continued progress at Gorgon in Western Australia, our milestone reminds us that CCS is now a well-established industry in Australia—and a base from which we must grow fast. We need at least 40 or more projects of the same scale by 2050 to reach our ambitious net-zero targets.
CO2CRC welcomed the Western Australian Government’s CCUS Action Plan—a significant policy step towards establishing WA as a leader in carbon management. This plan not only aligns with our mission but also demonstrates the growing recognition of CCUS as an essential tool for meeting climate goals.
Another highlight of the year was Australia’s successful bid to host the 2026 Global Carbon Capture Conference. This prestigious event will bring together leading minds, decision-makers, and innovators from around the world to advance CCUS technologies. Hosting this conference is a clear acknowledgment of Australia’s leadership and our collective efforts to position the country as a hub for cutting-edge carbon solutions.
As we celebrate these achievements, it is essential to look ahead to the opportunities and challenges that await us. The upcoming Australian federal election will undoubtedly bring renewed focus to energy and climate policy. At CO2CRC, we are committed to engaging constructively with policymakers to ensure CCUS remains a central component of Australia’s strategy to achieve net-zero emissions. We will continue advocating for policies that foster innovation, support industry adoption, and enhance Australia’s competitiveness in the global energy transition.
To that end, we also look forward to the visit of the Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng to Australia in February, including for further discussions around cross-investment between our two countries and to put the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with Carbon Management Canada into effect.
This partnership will open new avenues for much-needed commercially relevant demonstrations. We can only achieve this through international collaboration, where the best minds work together on rigorous and credible science projects.
This year’s successes are all thanks to the dedication and hard work of our fantastic team, members, partners, and stakeholders. As we wrap up the year, I wish everyone a safe and joyous Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year.
Dr Matthias Raab, CEO.
CO2CRC Achieves Milestone with 100,000th Tonne of CO2 Injected at Otway International Test Centre
CO2CRC is proud to announce the successful injection of its 100,000th tonne of carbon dioxide at the Otway International Test Centre, marking a significant milestone in carbon capture and storage (CCS) research. This achievement underscores the pivotal role of CO2CRC and its research partners in positioning Australia as a global leader in CCS innovation and technology..
Above: Guests celebrate CO2CRC’s 100,000 tonne milestone at the OITC on the 12 December, 2024.
CO2CRC Welcomes WA Government's Plan to Become a Global Leader in Carbon Management
CO2CRC applauds the Cook Labor Government’s announcement of Western Australia’s first Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Action Plan, which positions the state as a global leader in carbon management. The government has committed $26 million towards two pivotal CCUS projects, marking a significant investment in the future of sustainable energy.
Western Australia has an ambition to become a globally recognised renewable energy powerhouse.
Danish Academy of Technical Sciences CCUS Visits CO2CRC's Otway International Test Centre
Funded by the Danish Energy Agency, the delegation consisted of Danish executives from research institutions, organisations, clusters, public authorities, and grant providers.
International collaboration on CCUS will be imperative to reaching global emission reduction goals. Fact-finding missions, such as the Danish tour, establishes the networks required for knowledge exchange and accelerates scientific innovation through research guided and supported by both industry and government.
The Danish government’s climate plan has acknowledged the global necessity of capturing and geologically storing CO2, and the visit to the Otway International Test Centre enables us to showcase the pioneering and comprehensive CCUS research conducted since 2008.
Above: Members of a Danish delegation visiting CO2CRC’s Otway International Test Centre in November to learn more about Carbon Capture and Storage.
CO2CRC to Collaborate with Canada to Advance CCS Technology
CO2CRC was delighted to host a Danish delegation of CCUS advocates at our Otway International Test Centre during November.
Funded by the Danish Energy Agency, the delegation consisted of Danish executives from research institutions, organisations, clusters, public authorities, and grant providers.
International collaboration on CCUS will be imperative to reaching global emission reduction goals. Fact-finding missions, such as the Danish tour, establishes the networks required for knowledge exchange and accelerates scientific innovation through research guided and supported by both industry and government.
The Danish government’s climate plan has acknowledged the global necessity of capturing and geologically storing CO2, and the visit to the Otway International Test Centre enables us to showcase the pioneering and comprehensive CCUS research conducted since 2008.
Above: CO2CRC’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Matthias Raab and Carbon Management Canada CEO Neil Wildgust at CMS Newell Country Facility in Alberta Canada.
Annual Report 2023-2024
Our 2023-2024 Annual Report has a plethora of high-quality content featuring in-depth CCUS project and policy updates, community engagement overview, Symposium wrap-up, and an award-winning staff showcase. This brilliant document has stunning photography and is a premier publication for the latest information on CCUS in Australia. DOWNLOAD your free copy today!
New Otway International Test Centre Project Unlocks Pathways for Increasing Global CO₂ Storage
CO2CRC is excited to announce the commencement of a groundbreaking CO₂ storage initiative at the Otway International Test Centre (OITC), aimed at expanding global CO₂ geological storage resources.
The pioneering research unites world-leading scientists from CO2CRC, Stanford University, The University of Melbourne, Curtin University, Geoscience Australia and Japan’s Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE) to validate advanced storage processes through real-world testing.
In this collaborative field study, CO2CRC’s Otway Stage 4 program has started with a three-month operation to inject 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ into a carefully selected geological reservoir. CO2CRC’s unique program at the OITC, one of the world’s largest dedicated CO₂ storage research facilities, provides critical “ground-truth” data that will enable researchers to enhance geological characterisation, refine storage site modelling, and improve monitoring techniques.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a critical climate change mitigation solution, enabling the capture of CO₂ emissions from industrial sources and their permanent storage underground, thereby preventing emission to the atmosphere.
CO2CRC CEO Dr. Matthias Raab emphasised the program’s significance for advancing CCS research. “This program represents a major step in developing the scientific foundation for large-scale CO₂ storage in a very broad range of geographies. Through international collaboration and rigorous research, we’re helping to make CCS a viable, scalable solution to support net-zero goals worldwide.
Dr. Max Watson, CO2CRC’s Senior Manager of Technology Development, highlighted the importance of the project in addressing both national and global storage challenges: “By confirming how CO₂ behaves in a variety of geological settings, we’re enhancing our ability to identify suitable storage sites, both in Australia and globally. The data from this project will directly contribute to ensuring that CCS projects can be located within practical proximity to CO₂ sources, making storage a viable option for more regions.”
Professor Sally Benson of Stanford University, a leading expert in CO₂ storage noted the program’s role in advancing the field: “This is an invaluable opportunity to validate theoretical models in a real-world setting, generating data that will serve as a global benchmark. The findings will have far-reaching implications for CCS projects everywhere.”
This ambitious program also reflects the enduring legacy of the Otway International Test Centre, which, since its founding, has been pivotal in positioning Australia as a leader in CO₂ storage research. As one of the largest geological CO₂ research facilities worldwide, the OITC is uniquely equipped to tackle the complex questions surrounding CO₂ migration, secure containment, and efficient monitoring of stored carbon.
Data gathered from this CO₂ injection will not only inform best practices but also drive technological advancements in CCS, supporting global efforts to establish large-scale CO₂ storage options. Through CO2CRC’s continued leadership, the Otway Stage 4 program strengthens both Australia’s and the world’s response to climate change and will contribute to more effective and widespread CCS deployment in the years ahead.
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.
CCUS Principles, Practices, and Applications 18 – 20 February 2025 Online
Real-world examples and case studies from operational projects worldwide will be utilised throughout the course to provide context to the challenges and opportunities to navigate this evolving landscape.
Presented by CCS technical experts Dr Max Watson and Jai Kant Pandit.
What out attendees say:
“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
Limited places available. Secure your spot today:
Contact Max Watson or read 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
17/12/2024 Energy Australia’s fight for future of NSW coal plant – AFR
The large Mount Piper generator may be needed by the market for another 15 years, but in a vastly different role that will require policy support.
14/12/2024 CCS Update: Australia progresses one step closer to cross-border carbon capture and storage – Norton Rose Fulbright
The Minister for the Environment and Water has announced that Australia has deposited a declaration on provisional application of the 2009 amendment to Article 6 of the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter
14/12/2024 Coalition plan to abolish ‘carbon price by stealth’– the Australian
The Coalition will abolish or overhaul what it calls Labor’s “carbon price by stealth” in a bid to boost fossil fuels under its energy plan, saying the new emissions reduction objective is making Australia’s coal fleet “look really expensive”.
17/12/2024 Change of ownership for North Sea Trudvang CCS storage license – Offshore
Vår Energi CCS has assumed operatorship of the Trudvang CO2 storage license in the northern Norwegian North Sea, east of the Sleipner field.
17/12/2024 Last EU Carbon Auction of the Year Is the Cheapest Since 2020 – Bloomberg
The final 2024 offering of European Union carbon allowances cleared Monday at €63.64 a metric ton, the cheapest year-end auction since 2020 when the permits were less than half of today’s price.
16/12/2024 Worley wins EPC contract for ExxonMobil’s low-carbon hydrogen project in Texas– Offshore Energy
Australian engineering and professional services company Worley will provide reimbursable engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services to U.S. energy major ExxonMobil for the enabling works, infrastructure and interconnects scope of the latter’s planned low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia facility in Baytown, Texas.
16/12/2024 RINA wins pre-FEED contract for CCS project – Compressortech2
Engineering company RINA will conduct a pre-FEED study for a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project planned by Petronas CCS Solutions.
16/12/2024 WA throws more cash at carbon injection, but flagship project still fails to hit mark- The Age The WA government will tip $26 million into two new CCUS hubs in the Pilbara and Mid-West.
16/12/2024 Joint effort looks to establish the largest CCS hub in the world– Safety4Sea
Aramco has signed a shareholders’ agreement with Linde and SLB, paving the way for development of a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) hub that is expected to become one of the largest globally
16/12/2024 Opinion: The UK Government Must Accelerate The Route To Market For CCS Projects – Carbon Herald
This month marked a significant moment for the carbon capture and storage (CCS) sector in the UK. East Coast Cluster took a Final Investment Decision on the Net Zero Teesside Power station, offshore storage, and transport projects. This historic decision means construction can start on the first ever CCS project in the UK, unlocking private funding to get construction under way.
16/12/2024 Teesside to host world’s first gas power plant with carbon capture – Gasworld
Construction is set to begin on the world’s first gas-fired power station equipped with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, located in Teesside, England.
15/12/2024 Super-Enzyme Enhances Carbon Capture by 90%- SciTechDaily
Scientists have discovered a special enzyme that can help absorb CO2 from industrial emissions more efficiently. Found in a hot spring, this enzyme is incredibly tough, working well even in very hot and highly alkaline conditions.
12/12/2024 State OKs North West Shelf Extension for Energy Security – Mirage
First injection and full ramp up at the Moomba CCS project marks a major milestone for Australia’s rollout of this crucial net zero technology.
11/12/2024 Equinor and partners approve execution of UK’s first carbon capture and storage projects– Equinor
Equinor, alongside project partners, has announced financial close after taking a Final Investment Decision to progress to execution phase on two of the UK’s first carbon capture and projects in Teesside, the Northern Endurance Partnership and Net Zero Teesside Power.
11/12/2024 Steel, ammonia and AI? Oh my! What can’t our CCS help decarbonize? – ExxonMobil
If you’re keeping tabs on CCS, you already know ExxonMobil’s doing more than any other company to advance this emissions-reduction technology.
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