A word from the CEO
Moomba milestone another step forward for CCS
As I return to Australia after the GHGT-17 Conference in Calgary, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible opportunity CO2CRC and its members have in shaping a lasting response to the climate change challenge.
The 17th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference, where I had the honour of delivering a plenary keynote, was a fantastic opportunity to discuss the CCS landscape in Australia and emphasize its importance in the Asia Pacific energy transition.
It is becoming increasingly clear that for Australia to make a significant impact on the global challenge, we need to collaborate closely with our regional neighbours to reduce emissions across our resource value chains.
It was encouraging to see the ongoing recognition of CO2CRC research from colleagues around the globe. It’s always rewarding to see our hard work acknowledged, especially in such a critical field.
The conference organised by the International Energy Agency Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme (IEAGHG) was a record-breaking event, with over 1500 attendees including my CO2CRC colleagues Dr. Max Watson, David Bason and Mitch Allison.
A highlight of the 3-day event was the announcement of Australia’s selection to host the next GHGT-18 conference in further confirmation of our country’s leadership in the sector. CO2CRC Limited will co-host the conference in Perth in 2026, in partnership with the Australian Energy Producers, CSIRO, and the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Our thanks go to the GHGT team, led by IEAGHG chair and CO2CRC Distinguished Scientist Professor Kelly Thambimuthu, for organizing such a successful gathering. Their efforts made this the largest dedicated GHG/CCS conference ever, and it was great to be part of it.
Another significant event on our visit to Alberta was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Carbon Management Canada, who will be one of our key collaborators for applied field research and the incubator for a Canada/Australia transpacific research partnership. CMC provides applied research programs and services for geological CO2 storage, validation for fugitive methane emissions monitoring technology, and education and outreach initiatives to support large-scale CCUS deployment across Canada.
One piece of Australian news that caught attention in Canada was Santos and Beach Energy’s announcement that they had commenced CO2 injection at the Moomba Carbon Capture and Storage project. This project is particularly significant as it’s the first carbon storage initiative approved under state greenhouse gas legislation. It’s a testament to the supportive regulatory framework established by the South Australian Government.
The successful commissioning of facilities and pipelines, along with the performance of all wells according to project plans, is no small feat. The Moomba project has the capacity to store up to 1.7 million tonnes of CO2 per year. To put that into perspective, that’s equivalent to over a quarter of the total emissions reduction achieved in Australia’s electricity sector last year. It’s exciting to think about the impact this could have.
When combined with other projects like Gorgon CCS in Western Australia and several other projects, we could potentially reduce Australia’s emissions by up to 20% by 2035. This really underscores the vital role that CCS can play in global emissions reduction, and how your work contributes to driving Australia to embrace the effectiveness of CCS.
With the International Energy Agency emphasizing that global climate goals for 2050 are unattainable without CSS, the urgency to accelerate the rollout of new CCS projects is more critical than ever.
Of course, the global context in which this conversation continues took a dramatic turn this week with the re-election of Donald Trump to the White House. It will take some time for that context to be clarified, but there will be a stronger emphasis on energy security and affordability in the US at least.
Internationally that will influence the global climate policy alignment and subsequent investment flows.
The path ahead is filled with challenges, but with collaboration and innovation, I’m optimistic about what we can achieve in establishing carbon capture and storage as the foundation of a meaningful and sustainable response to the climate challenge.
Dr Matthias Raab, CEO.
CO2CRC Key Presenters at Global CCS Conference - GHGT-17
CO2CRC Chief Executive Officer Matthais Raab was delighted to be invited to deliver the plenary keynote at the recent Greenhouse Gas Conference in Calgary. The plenary focused on the CCS landscape in Australia, the importance of CCS in the Asia Pacific energy transition, and the imperative of Australia working closely with its regional neighbours and reduce the emissions of our resources value chains.
Also presenting at the Conference were Mitch Allison, Dr Max Watson and David Bason from CO2CRC.
Dr. Raab thanked the conference organisers the IEAGHG, who successfully delivered the largest GHG/CCS conference ever, with over 1500 attendees. Dr. Raab also extended his thanks to Chairman Kelly Thambimuthu, Managing Director Tim Dixon, Programme Manager Suzanne Killick, and the entire IEAGHG team for delivering such an outstanding event.
Please see below article on the exciting news for GHGT-18 Conference, Perth, 2026.
Above: CO2CRC’s Dr. Matthias Raab, Dr. Max Watson, David Bason, and Mitch Allison, at GHGT-17 in Calgary, Canada earlier this month.
Australia Wins Bid to Host 2026 Global Carbon Capture Conference
Australia’s selection to host the prestigious 2026 Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies (GHGT) Conference is further confirmation of the country’s leadership in the sector. This landmark event will take place in Perth, showcasing Australia’s leadership in carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) on the global stage.
CO2CRC will co-host the conference in Perth in 2026, in partnership with the Australian Energy Producers, CSIRO, and the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
Known as GHGT-18, the conference is run by the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme. It brings together over 1,000 CCUS researchers, industry leaders, government officials, and stakeholders from around the world to discuss and share the latest developments with the technology.
Above: CO2CRC CEO Dr. Matthias Raab, Jade Riolo (Business Events Perth), Julie Hood (AEP), Paul Feron (CSIRO), Linda Stalker (CSIRO), and Brendan Beck (AEP).
Korea Shares Ambitious Goals at Transboundary CCS Conference
Korea’s ambitious climate goals were front and centre at the recent Transboundary CCS Conference in Seoul. As part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Korea is targeting a reduction of 11.2 MTPA of emissions via CCS by 2030, with most of this reduction expected to involve transboundary projects. Korea is actively pursuing bilateral agreements with Australia and Malaysia to facilitate CO2 storage, but challenges remain.
Bilateral agreements will be a critical component of the future CO2 export/import industry. Without these, no transboundary CCS projects can advance beyond the planning phase. Another key insight from the conference was the management of CO2 Stream for pipeline and shipping networks. CO2 stream integrity and its impact on transportation methods, such as pipelines and shipping must be addressed, as gaps in understanding could undermine the success of transboundary projects.
Capture and transport networks were the focus for many attendees, including representatives from steel, chemical and manufacturing industries, emphasising the early stage of Korea’s CO2 capture and transport capabilities. Developing infrastructure for these processes remains a priority.
Another key topic of discussion was the role of the ASEAN region in transboundary CCS. While the region is eager to develop CCS projects, a major obstacle is that ASEAN countries are not signatories to the London Protocol. This complicates the formation of bilateral agreements, with the situation highlighting the pressing need for regional collaboration.
Overall, the conference was highly engaging and informative, and CO2CRC looks forward to continuing to support of Korea in its decarbonisation efforts and pursuit of emissions reduction goals.
Above: participants in this month’s Korean Transboundary CCS Conference including CO2CRC’s Techno-Regulatory Advisor, Dr. Simone de Morton, third from right.
Global CCS Academic Leaders Collaborate on OITC Project
In October, representatives from the University of Cambridge, Stanford University, and University of Melbourne, along with CO2CRC Limited, convened in Melbourne to review the latest progress in the GeoCquest Program and CO2CRC’s Stage 4 GeoCquest Field Validation (GFV) Project.
Among those in attendance were the lead project research collaborators: Professor Sally Benson and Professor Peter Cook, both renowned contributors to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
Above: Collaborators above from Stanford University, University of Melbourne, University of Cambridge, and CO2CRC.
Moomba milestone highlights key role for CCS
Congratulations to Santos and its joint venture partner Beach Energy on the commencement of CO2 injection at the Moomba Carbon Capture and Storage project – with the project already operating at full injection rates.
CO2CRC chief executive Dr Matthias Raab said it was a massive achievement to confirm that facilities and pipelines have been successfully commissioned and that all wells are performing in accordance with project plans.
Above: Moomba CCS Project Under Construction – photo courtesy of Beach Energy.
Industry partnership unlocking technology to lower emissions and advance CCS
Low Emission Technology Australia (LETA) is increasing its support for Australia’s leading carbon capture and storage research organisation CO2CRC to accelerate and unlock technology to advance CCS opportunities in Australia.
The $4.84 million program will advance integrated research of low emission technologies to reduce and remove existing and future sources of industrial emissions, including electricity generation, steel and cement manufacturing, mining processes and other future energy sources, such as hydrogen.
Above: The deployment of fibre optic cables during the recompletion of CO2CRC Otway International Test Centre Injection well CRC-3.
The significance of CO2CRC’s current research highlighted in Carbon Capture Journal
Otway Stage 4’s field demonstration and R&D endeavour focusing on Optimising CO2 storage resource utilisation was highlighted in the October edition of the Carbon Capture Journal. The Journal emphasised that the project will enhance CO2 storage technologies, improve the utilisation of storage resources, and accelerate the development of commercial CO2 storage.
SLB and Wild Desert contractors running cables down the outside of the tubing at The Otway International Test Centres Stage 4 injection well CRC-3.
Above: The Global CCS Institute released its 2024 Global Status of CCS Report this month.
The Global CCS Institute has recently released its 2024 Global Status of CCS report. Collaborating for a net-zero future. The report documents the key milestones in the global adoption of CCS over the past year and covers the planning and development of facilities, regulatory updates and activities both by governments internationally and also by industry. Key statistics include a 57% increase in CO2 capture capacity under construction and significantly more storage facilities are being planned.
The full PDF report can be downloaded HERE.
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: Contact Max Watson for more information.
CCUS Fundamentals Course Wednesday 4 December 2024 Melbourne
Enjoy the convenience of CO2CRC’s industry leading full day CCUS Fundamentals course delivered in person in Melbourne. CO2CRC’s Fundamentals Course provides targeted knowledge exchange on all things CCUS to upskill yourself or your team in CCUS. MORE INFORMATION
“The course provided a clear, concise understanding of the technologies and strategies used for carbon capture, utilisation and storage. The instructors were knowledgeable, breaking down complex concepts into digestible parts. The course offered a balanced mix of theory and real-world examples, making it practical and applicable. I now feel more confident in my understanding of CCUS and its critical role in combating climate change.”
– Louie Li, CarbonNet.
Contact Max Watson for more information.
CCUS Principles, Practices, and Applications 18 – 20 February 2025 Online
In the CCUS Principles, Practices, and Applications course, you’ll gain insights into the urgent need for emission reduction measures, particularly in the context of fossil fuel usage and industrial processes. Explore the principles underlying geological storage, methodologies for site identification, various CO2 capture technologies employed in stationary sources, and so much more.
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
28/10/2024 Supermajors’ China CCS initiative eyes 2 million tpa offshore storage hub – Upstream. Daya Bay project advances, as partners plan CO2 storage at Lufeng 21-1 oilfield.
24/10/2024 INPEX and Chubu Electric Power join forces to explore Japan-Australia CCS value chain– Petroleum Australia. INPEX CORPORATION and Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. have signed an agreement to study the feasibility of establishing a Japan Australia CCS storage value chain.
24/10/2024 South Korea To Explore Feasability Of Carbon Capture And Utilization At Five New Sites – Carbon Herald. Korea has announced five locations to test the development and commercialization of CCUS.
24/10/2024 These 4 companies are removing carbon dioxide from the ocean. Here’s how – World Economic Forum Direct Ocean Capture (DOC) removes dissolved CO2 from seawater for carbon storage or reuse. Companies like Brineworks, Captura and Sea02 are among the leading innovators in this area.
24/10/2024 The discovery of pyrene derivatives in a distant interstellar cloud may help to reveal how our own solar system formed– MIT News. A team led by researchers at MIT has discovered that a distant interstellar cloud contains an abundance of pyrene, a type of large, carbon-containing molecule known as a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.
24/10/2024 Innovation Fund’s support for CCS projects beyond the North Sea will aid decarbonisation – Clean Air Taskforce., The European Commission announced €4.8 billion in grants under the Innovation Fund to 85 important climate and energy projects across 18 countries including 16 involving CCS.
23/10/2024 Carbon dioxide capture from open air using covalent organic frameworks – Nature. Capture of CO2 from the air offers a promising approach to addressing climate change and achieving carbon neutrality goals.
22/10/2024 Australia starts up Moomba, the world’s third largest CCS project without EOR – The Chemical Engineer. The Moomba CCS project in Australia has become the world’s third largest project to begin burying emissions without enhanced oil recovery.
13/10/2024 BHP, JSW Steel to explore use of carbon capture technology in steelmaking – Mining.com. BHP and JSW Steel have teamed up to explore and accelerate the adoption of a modular technology developed by UK-based Carbon Clean to decarbonize the steelmaking process, with a particular focus in India.
12/10/2024 UN Enacts Carbon Removal Standard Under Article 6.4– Carbon Herald. The Article 6.4 Supervisory Board, the body working on creating the UN carbon market under the Paris Agreement, has finalized two key standards related to carbon removal and developing and assessing projects for a UN-supervised carbon market.
10/10/2024 LNP commits to keep coal-fired power stations open ‘indefinitely’– The Australian. David Crisafulli will keep Queensland’s coal-fired power stations open indefinitely if he is elected to ensure energy remains “reliable and affordable” during the transition to renewables.
10/10/2024 Carbon removal no solution if world overshoots warming target, scientists say– Reuters. Even greater efforts to strip carbon dioxide from the atmosphere will fail to avert climate change catastrophe as rising global temperatures threaten to cross a key threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius scientists said on Wednesday.
10/10/2024 ExxonMobil secures largest CO2 offshore storage site in the U.S. – Exxon Mobil. ExxonMobil has secured access to over 271,000-acres in Texas state waters; ideal for CO2 storage.
10/10/2024 Carbon storage gets thorough scrutiny in the Otways – Cosmos. Researchers at Otway already have 20 years of data to confirm the efficacy of their storage.
10/10/2024 Norwegian government to continue funding Longship CCS in 2025 – Oil and Gas Journal The Norwegian government will continue to fund the Longship CCS project in 2025 with a 2.1 billion NOK budget allocation..
09/10/2024 Don’t overshoot: why carbon dioxide removal will achieve too little, too late – Nature Many climate scenarios bake in a temperature overshoot before technologies are used to scrub the atmosphere clean of emissions. Emerging science says that is probably a fool’s errand.
08/10/2024 Eni to Develop CCS Project to Aid UK’s Decarbonization Efforts – Yahoo Finance Eni, a leading integrated energy player, has been awarded an agreement for lease by The Crown Estate for a CCS project.
04/10/2024 Britain promises up to $28.5 bln for carbon capture projects– Reuters. Britain will provide funding of up to 21.7 billion pounds ($28.5 billion) over 25 years to develop CCS projects
03/10/2024 ADM pauses CO2 injection at carbon capture storage site after finding potential leak – Reuters. The agribusiness company Archer-Daniels-Midland has paused injection of carbon dioxide at its Illinois CCS site after discovering a potential leak deep underground.
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