Oil and Gas Industry Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS)

Detailed overview of innovation with sample startups and prominent university research


What it is

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is a suite of technologies designed to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial processes, particularly in the oil and gas sector, and either utilize them for beneficial purposes or store them permanently, preventing their release into the atmosphere. CCUS is considered a crucial tool for mitigating climate change and achieving net-zero emissions targets, particularly in industries that are challenging to decarbonize directly.

Impact on climate action

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) revolutionizes the oil and gas sector by mitigating emissions. It captures CO2 from industrial processes, preventing it from entering the atmosphere. Utilizing captured CO2 for enhanced oil recovery or converting it into valuable products reduces environmental footprint. CCUS accelerates decarbonization efforts, fostering sustainability.

Underlying
Technology

  • Capture: This stage involves separating CO2 from other gases produced in industrial processes. Various technologies are employed, including:
    • Post-combustion capture: Removing CO2 from flue gases after combustion.
    • Pre-combustion capture: Separating CO2 from fuel before combustion.
    • Oxy-fuel combustion: Burning fuel in pure oxygen to produce a concentrated stream of CO2.
    • Direct Air Capture (DAC): Capturing CO2 directly from the atmosphere.
  • Utilization: Captured CO2 can be utilized in various ways, creating valuable products and providing economic incentives for CCUS deployment. Some examples include:
    • Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR): Injecting CO2 into oil reservoirs to increase oil production.
    • Production of chemicals and fuels: Using CO2 as a feedstock for manufacturing chemicals and synthetic fuels.
    • Mineralization: Converting CO2 into solid carbonates for building materials or permanent storage.
  • Storage: If not utilized, captured CO2 needs to be stored securely to prevent its release back into the atmosphere. Typical storage methods involve:
    • Geological storage: Injecting CO2 into deep underground formations, such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs or saline aquifers.
    • Ocean storage: Dissolving CO2 in deep ocean waters.
    • Mineral carbonation: Reacting CO2 with minerals to form stable carbonates.

TRL : 7-9 (depending on the specific technology)


Prominent Innovation themes

The field of CCUS is ripe with innovation, with researchers and startups developing advanced technologies to improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and applicability of CCUS. Some notable innovations include:

  • Advanced Solvents and Membranes: Novel materials are being developed to improve the efficiency and reduce the energy consumption of CO2 capture processes.
  • Direct Air Capture (DAC) Advancements: New DAC technologies are being developed to make the capture of CO2 directly from the atmosphere more efficient and affordable.
  • Carbon Utilization Innovations: Researchers are exploring innovative ways to utilize captured CO2, including the production of higher-value chemicals, bioplastics, and sustainable building materials.
  • CO2 Storage Monitoring Technologies: Advanced sensors and monitoring systems are being developed to ensure the secure and permanent storage of CO2.

Other Innovation Subthemes

  • Advanced Carbon Capture Technologies
  • Solvent and Membrane Innovations
  • Next-Gen Direct Air Capture
  • Enhanced Oil Recovery Strategies
  • Chemicals and Fuels from CO2
  • Geological Storage Optimization
  • Mineral Carbonation Techniques
  • Energy-Efficient Capture Materials
  • Membrane-Based Capture Systems
  • Affordable Direct Air Capture Methods
  • Carbon Utilization for Bioplastics
  • Advanced Monitoring for CO2 Storage
  • Secure Geological Storage Solutions

Related Innovations

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Sample Global Startups and Companies

  • Climeworks:
    • Technology Focus: Climeworks specializes in direct air capture (DAC) technology, which involves capturing CO2 directly from ambient air. They employ advanced carbon capture technology to remove CO2 from the atmosphere efficiently.
    • Uniqueness: Climeworks is unique in its focus on direct air capture, offering scalable solutions to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Their technology can be deployed in various locations, making it versatile for different applications.
    • End-User Segments: Their solutions cater to industries and organizations seeking to offset their carbon emissions, including companies in transportation, energy production, and manufacturing. They also target governments and institutions aiming to achieve carbon neutrality goals.
  • Carbon Engineering:
    • Technology Focus: Carbon Engineering focuses on both direct air capture and point-source carbon capture technologies. They develop innovative solutions to capture CO2 from industrial emissions and directly from the air, followed by utilization or storage.
    • Uniqueness: Carbon Engineering stands out for its comprehensive approach to carbon capture, offering solutions for both point sources and ambient air. Their technology enables the production of low-carbon fuels and the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere at scale.
    • End-User Segments: Their solutions are relevant for industries with significant carbon emissions, such as power generation, cement production, and refineries. Additionally, they target companies interested in producing low-carbon fuels and achieving carbon neutrality.
  • Aker Carbon Capture:
    • Technology Focus: Aker Carbon Capture specializes in carbon capture technology for industrial applications. They develop solutions to capture CO2 emissions from industrial processes, such as power plants, cement kilns, and steel mills.
    • Uniqueness: Aker Carbon Capture is known for its expertise in developing tailored carbon capture solutions for various industrial sectors. They offer efficient and cost-effective technologies that can be integrated into existing infrastructure.
    • End-User Segments: Their target segments include industries with large point sources of CO2 emissions, such as power generation, cement manufacturing, and steel production. They also work with governments and policymakers to support carbon reduction initiatives.

Sample Research At Top-Tier Universities

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT):
    • Technology Enhancements: MIT researchers are working on developing advanced carbon capture technologies that can effectively capture CO2 emissions from industrial processes, particularly those in the oil & gas sector. They are exploring novel materials and processes for more efficient CO2 capture and separation.
    • Uniqueness of Research: MIT’s research focuses on the integration of CCUS technologies with existing oil & gas infrastructure, such as refineries and natural gas processing plants. They are investigating strategies to retrofit these facilities with carbon capture systems to reduce emissions while maintaining operational efficiency.
    • End-use Applications: The CCUS technologies developed at MIT have applications beyond the oil & gas sector, including power generation, cement production, and steel manufacturing. By capturing and storing CO2 emissions, companies can mitigate climate change while also unlocking new revenue streams through carbon utilization and enhanced oil recovery.
  • Stanford University:
    • Technology Enhancements: Stanford researchers are exploring innovative approaches to carbon capture and storage, including biological-based solutions and mineralization techniques. They are studying how biological processes, such as photosynthesis, can be harnessed to capture and sequester CO2 from industrial emissions.
    • Uniqueness of Research: Stanford’s research emphasizes the use of natural processes and ecosystems to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in stable forms. They are investigating the potential of reforestation, soil carbon sequestration, and ocean-based carbon capture as scalable and sustainable solutions for decarbonizing the oil & gas sector.
    • End-use Applications: The research at Stanford has implications for ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. By restoring degraded ecosystems and enhancing natural carbon sinks, companies can offset their carbon emissions and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.
  • Imperial College London:
    • Technology Enhancements: Researchers at Imperial College London are focusing on developing advanced materials and processes for CO2 capture, utilization, and storage in the oil & gas sector. They are investigating novel solvents, membranes, and adsorbents for more efficient and cost-effective CO2 capture.
    • Uniqueness of Research: Imperial’s research integrates CCUS technologies with renewable energy systems, such as wind and solar power, to create integrated carbon-neutral solutions for the oil & gas industry. They are exploring the concept of “carbon-negative” oil & gas production, where CO2 emissions are offset by carbon removal technologies and renewable energy generation.
    • End-use Applications: The research at Imperial College London has implications for energy security, economic development, and environmental sustainability. By decarbonizing the oil & gas sector, companies can reduce their carbon footprint and transition towards a more sustainable and resilient energy system.

commercial_img Commercial Implementation

CCUS technologies are being implemented commercially in various parts of the world, demonstrating their real-world viability. For example:

  • Sleipner Project (Norway): Since 1996, this project has been capturing and storing CO2 from natural gas production in a saline aquifer.
  • Boundary Dam Project (Canada): This power plant captures CO2 from its flue gas and uses it for enhanced oil recovery.
  • Petra Nova Project (US): This project captured CO2 from a coal-fired power plant and used it for enhanced oil recovery.


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