Carbon Capture Solutions

CO2 is compressed to the appropriate pressure on site and then transported via truck, train, ship, and pipeline to a final sequestration site or repurposing location. Pipeline transport is the lowest cost option for significant volumes of CO2 and allows for the smooth incorporation into the existing global infrastructure—and there are already 5,000 miles (~8,000km) of CO2 pipelines globally. The continued investment into expanding the pipeline network globally would promote the proliferation of CCS technology and enable power generation sites to reach even distant geologic resources for sequestration or industrial sites for repurpose. 

The water table exists globally at between 100-300 ft (30-90 m) beneath the earth’s surface and is much higher than the injection location for CO2 at between 5,000-15,000 ft (1,524-4,572 m) beneath the earth’s surface. The geologic layers of porous and non-porous rock that separate the two zones eliminate safety considerations surrounding ground water contamination by captured CO2. The depth of injection of CO2 is such that no surface seismic activity would be registered on the surface. In reality, the pressure that builds in the rock formations over time would be mitigated with the structured injection technology and the rock formations stabilized as they are more comfortably redistributed. Fluid disposal technology is extremely mature and the injection of CO2 is not unique in terms of increasing seismic activity.

As both global emissions prices soar and pledges of decarbonization become more aggressive, the cost of adding a carbon capture system to any CO2-emitting asset becomes a viable technological pathway. Though often labeled as overly expensive and unnecessary, this holds true under circumstances where CO2 emissions may continue unabated. However, with the transition to a decarbonized future across multiple sectors, this is no longer the case. In fact, given the proper market structures and regulatory frameworks that already exist in certain regions, CCS is economical today, especially compared to alternatives to decarbonize thermal assets.

Yes, post-combustion carbon capture can be installed on both new and existing CO2 producing assets. For example, let’s consider retrofitting existing plants. The retrofit strategy helps de-risk both current and future carbon regulations that impact the decision to operate or build a gas-fired power plant today. Furthermore, retrofits can significantly extend the lifetime of operating assets, extending their economic viability and even deferring costly decommissioning expenses with forced retirements. In fact, according to the IEA, carbon capture retrofits are expected to account for 50% of all CO2 capture projects by 2050.