Study reveals scale of CCS opportunity for WA
Western Australia is capable of storing its own carbon and turning existing infrastructure into Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) hubs, according to a new study.
It said CCUS is the only technology available for immediate implementation that has the potential to work across a number of emissions-intensive industries such as gas processing, aluminium smelting and power generation.
The WA LNG Jobs Taskforce commissioned CSIRO and Global CCS Institute (GCCSI) to undertake the study into the potential for developing CCUS hubs in WA.
The study was funded by various members of the LNG Jobs Taskforce including Shell Australia, BP Australia, Chevron Australia, WA Government, Eni Australia, MIMI, National Energy Resources Australia, Santos, and Woodside Energy. Shell Australia led the project as a key initiative of the LNG Jobs Taskforce’s Technology and Decarbonisation Working Group.
The study modelled potential hubs in the Pilbara and Perth-Kwinana regions.
The modelled Pilbara hub would have a capacity to sequester 40Mtpa—a similar amount to that
currently being stored annually across the globe.
Overall, WA has abundant potential capacity to store CO2. The study showed a total prospective
storage resource of 195,000Mt CO2.
“The North Carnarvon Basin alone with prospective storage resources of 48,000Mt is sufficient to store
all WA’s current annual emissions for 700 years,” the study said.
“This means that WA has the space to store its own CO2 as well as that of others—opening up a market to other emitters in the region and supporting the
decarbonisation of the Asia–Pacific region which is geologically unsuitable for CCUS.
“WA’s prospective storage resources gives it the potential to become a global powerhouse in the future lower emissions economy.”
The State Government has said it invest more than $4 million to establish a world leading CCUS industry in WA.
The funding would accelerate deployment of proven CCUS technologies in WA, support research into new CCUS technology and attract investment in CCUS.
"WA is a world leader in mining and natural gas, and that means we are perfectly placed to become a world leader in Carbon Capture, Utilisation
and Storage,” Premier Roger Cook said.
"We can leverage our skilled workforce, existing infrastructure and unique geology to attract global CCUS investment – helping to create local jobs and
strengthen our State's economy.
"We know there is growing demand from our trading partners for projects that support their energy security, but that also incorporate CCUS.”