Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is a technology aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and the power sector. The process involves capturing carbon dioxide, compressing it, and then either storing it permanently or using it for industrial or commercial uses.
Key components
- Capture: Carbon dioxide is separated from other greenhouse gases. This can be done using different methods, including pre-combustion, post-combustion, or oxy-fuel combustion.
- Transport: Once the carbon dioxide is captured, it is compressed and transported via pipelines, ships, or trucks to a storage site.
- Utilization: Carbon dioxide has many industrial and commercial uses, like carbonating beverages, creating fertilizer and more. There are also new uses being developed, like sustainable aviation fuels.
- Storage: The gas is then injected into geological formations such as depleted oil and gas fields, deep saline aquifers, or unmineable coal seams.
Key carbon capture geographies
US Gulf Coast: A major hub for industrial activities, including oil refining, chemical production, and natural gas processing, especially in Texas and Louisiana. It also has a well-established network of pipelines that can be repurposed for carbon transport. It includes the single largest operating carbon capture facility in North America, the Century Plant Gas Processing facility in Texas.
Alberta: A key region due to its oil sands industry and its geological formations suitable for carbon storage. The region has operating carbon capture projects, like the Shell Quest, and projects which have recently received final investment decision, like Shell Polaris and the Atlas Carbon Hub.
Midwestern USA: The Midwest has a concentration of ethanol plants and other industrial facilities and suitable geology for carbon storage. The region has some of the largest advanced carbon capture projects, like the Summit Midwest Carbon Express Project by Summit Carbon Solutions.
