Introduction
The growing concern over climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have brought Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology to the forefront of global environmental efforts. CCS involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial sources and power plants, transporting the captured CO2, and storing it underground in geological formations. This technology not only mitigates the impact of fossil fuel use but also enhances oil recovery and supports sustainable energy transitions. The following report provides a comprehensive overview of various operational CCS facilities worldwide, detailing their functions, capacities, and contributions to reducing carbon emissions.
Comprehensive List of Operational CCS Facilities
Petra Nova
Description: The Petra Nova project captures CO2 from the flue gas of a coal-fired power plant at the W.A. Parish Generating Station in Texas. It uses advanced amine-based technology to remove CO2, which is then transported via an 82-mile pipeline to the West Ranch oil field for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The project, a collaboration between NRG Energy and JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration, was operational from 2017 to 2020 and is expected to resume operations under new management.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 1.4 million metric tons/year.
Boundary Dam
Description: This facility captures CO2 from Unit 3 of the Boundary Dam Power Station in Estevan, Saskatchewan. The CO2 is used for EOR in the Weyburn-Midale area. Despite challenges in consistently meeting its design capacity, the project continues to improve its capture rates.
CO2 Injection Capacity: Designed for 1 million metric tons/year, but actual capture is lower.
Quest
Description: Captures CO2 from oil sands operations at the Scotford Upgrader in Alberta, storing it in a sandstone reservoir 2 km underground. The Quest facility is noted for its high capture reliability and cost efficiency.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 1 million metric tons/year, with the facility having stored over 6.5 million tonnes of CO2 since 2015.
Alberta Carbon Trunk Line (ACTL)
Description: Transports and stores CO2 from industrial sources for enhanced oil recovery. The project is a significant infrastructure initiative supporting multiple capture projects.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 14.6 million metric tons/year.
Swan Hills Synfuels
Description: Captures CO2 from synthetic gas production for enhanced oil recovery. The facility integrates CO2 capture with in-situ coal gasification.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 1.3 million metric tons/year.
Sturgeon Refinery
Description: Captures CO2 from refinery hydrogen production and stores it underground. This project is part of the broader Alberta Carbon Trunk Line system.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 1.4 million metric tons/year.
Shell Scotford Upgrader
Description: Captures CO2 from hydrogen production units, storing it in deep saline formations. This facility is part of Shell's broader CCS strategy.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 1.2 million metric tons/year.
Sleipner CO2 Storage
Description: Captures CO2 from natural gas processing, storing it in a deep saline aquifer beneath the seabed. Sleipner is one of the longest-running CCS projects.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 1 million metric tons/year.
Gorgon CO2 Injection Project
Description: Captures CO2 from gas production, storing it in a subsea formation. The project is part of Chevron's larger Gorgon LNG project in Australia.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 3.4 million metric tons/year.
Northern Lights Project
Description: Part of a full-scale CCS project in Norway, capturing CO2 from industrial sources for offshore storage. This project is a collaboration between Equinor, Shell, and Total.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 1.5 million metric tons/year.
Shute Creek Gas Processing Plant
Description: Captures CO2 from natural gas processing for enhanced oil recovery. Operated by ExxonMobil, the facility has been in operation since 1986.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 7 million metric tons/year.
Illinois Industrial CCS
Description: Captures CO2 from an ethanol production facility, storing it in a deep saline aquifer. This project is located in Decatur, Illinois.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 1 million metric tons/year.
Chevron's Gorgon LNG Project
Description: Captures CO2 from LNG production, storing it in a geological formation. The project is located on Barrow Island, Australia.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 3.4 million metric tons/year.
Snøhvit
Description: Captures CO2 from LNG production, storing it in a subsea formation. This project is located in the Barents Sea, Norway.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 700,000 metric tons/year.
Enid Fertilizer
Description: Captures CO2 from fertilizer production for enhanced oil recovery. The project is located in Oklahoma, USA.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 700,000 metric tons/year.
Air Products Steam Methane Reformer
Description: Captures CO2 from hydrogen production at a refinery for enhanced oil recovery. Located in Port Arthur, Texas, this project supports CO2 EOR.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 1 million metric tons/year.
Abu Dhabi CCS
Description: Captures CO2 from steel production, using it for enhanced oil recovery. This project is a collaboration between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Masdar.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 800,000 metric tons/year.
Jilin Oil Field
Description: Captures CO2 from natural gas processing for enhanced oil recovery. Located in China, this project supports increased oil recovery.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 600,000 metric tons/year.
Osaki CoolGen
Description: Demonstrates CO2 capture from coal gasification for power generation. This project is a joint venture between J-POWER and Chugoku Electric Power Company in Japan.
CO2 Injection Capacity: Data not available.
Drax BECCS Pilot
Description: Captures CO2 from biomass power generation. Located in the UK, this project is part of Drax's ambition to become carbon negative.
CO2 Injection Capacity: Data not available.
NET Power
Description: Uses Allam cycle technology to capture CO2 from a natural gas-fired power plant in Texas. This project demonstrates a new type of low-emission power generation.
CO2 Injection Capacity: Data not available.
Porthos Project
Description: Captures CO2 from industries in the Port of Rotterdam, storing it in depleted gas fields under the North Sea. This project involves multiple industrial partners.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 2.5 million metric tons/year.
Great Plains Synfuels Plant
Description: Captures CO2 from coal gasification, transporting it for use in enhanced oil recovery. Located in North Dakota, USA, the plant has been operational since 2000.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 3 million metric tons/year.
Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project
Description: Demonstrates CO2 capture from a hydrogen production facility in Japan, storing it offshore. This project supports Japan's CCS research and development.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 100,000 metric tons/year.
Sinopec Qilu Petrochemical
Description: Captures CO2 from a petrochemical plant in China for use in enhanced oil recovery. This project is part of Sinopec's broader CCS initiatives.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 400,000 metric tons/year.
Uthmaniyah CO2-EOR Demonstration Project
Description: Captures CO2 from a natural gas processing facility in Saudi Arabia for enhanced oil recovery. This project is part of Saudi Aramco's efforts to develop CCS technology.
CO2 Injection Capacity: 800,000 metric tons/year.
Conclusion
The global deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology is critical in the fight against climate change. The diverse range of operational CCS facilities worldwide illustrates the potential of this technology to mitigate carbon emissions from various industrial sources. These facilities not only contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also play a significant role in enhancing oil recovery and supporting sustainable energy transitions. Continued investment and innovation in CCS technology will be essential to achieving global climate targets and transitioning towards a low-carbon future.
References
Department of Energy. (n.d.). Petra Nova - W.A. Parish Project. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/fe/petra-nova-wa-parish-project
Global CCS Institute. (2023). Q2 2023: CCS Facilities Update. Retrieved from https://www.globalccsinstitute.com/news/q2-2023-ccs-facilities-update
International Energy Agency. (2024). CCUS Projects Explorer. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-tools/ccus-projects-explorer
Pipeline Online. (2024). Boundary Dam hits 5 million tonnes CO2 captured, Aquistore hits 500,000 tonnes stored. Retrieved from https://pipelineonline.ca/boundary-dam-hits-5-million-tonnes-co2-captured-aquistore-hits-500000-tonnes-stored
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