popular articles

The Asia-Pacific Faces Carbon Capture Challenges to Reduce Upstream Emissions

With growing emissions in the oil and gas sectors, the Asia-Pacific is exploring carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions to meet climate goals, but the lack of a unified strategic framework hinders progress.

Please share:

The Asia-Pacific is currently in the global spotlight regarding the reduction of upstream emissions in the oil and gas sectors. The region, heavily dependent on fossil fuels, sees its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions increase, especially those from natural gas. These emissions, produced during extraction and processing, include CO2 venting from reservoirs, which represents a major challenge for reaching the region’s climate goals.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS), a technology capable of capturing CO2 directly at the source and injecting it into underground geological formations, is seen as a viable solution. According to data from S&P Global Commodity Insights, CCS could reduce lifecycle emissions of oil and gas assets by 60%. However, this reduction depends on several factors, such as the CO2 content of resources and the rapid implementation of capture infrastructure.

A Limited but Essential Regulatory Framework

Currently, only Australia has dedicated regulations requiring operators to limit CO2 emissions from reservoirs for new gas fields. This policy compels operators to use CCS or other methods to reduce emissions, otherwise facing the need to buy carbon credits to offset their impact. This Australian safeguard mechanism sets a zero-emission threshold for reservoir CO2, a precedent in the region. However, this regulation remains unique in the Asia-Pacific, where no global framework has been established to encourage or compel other countries to adopt similar measures.

For companies, this situation may favor fields with low CO2 levels but also imposes additional costs and may limit the supply of affordable energy, raising questions about national priorities for some governments. Balancing environmental regulations with national energy needs is crucial to move toward a more sustainable energy model.

Projects and Prospects for Upstream Carbon Capture

CCS in the upstream oil and gas sector is set to represent 18% of global capture capacity by 2035, with an estimated capacity of 70 million tons per year. The Asia-Pacific leads regions in terms of construction and advanced development of CCS projects, followed by North America and the Middle East. As of now, the region has 5 million tons per year of CCS capacity under construction, with an additional 7 million tons in advanced development.

The planned capture capacity could reach 23 million tons per year by 2035, a significant figure but still insufficient to meet the region’s emissions reduction needs. Without CCS, emissions from CO2 venting in the Asia-Pacific upstream sector could reach 75 million tons per year by 2035, underscoring the urgent need for additional capacity to curb emissions growth in the sector.

Emission Dynamics in High-CO2 Fields

High-CO2 fields represent a significant portion of hydrocarbon production in the Asia-Pacific. To meet commercial specifications for gas, a substantial amount of CO2 must be separated from hydrocarbon gas, leaving high-CO2 residues vented into the atmosphere. Today, this venting is the primary source of upstream emissions in the region, surpassing other activities such as fuel combustion, flaring, and methane leakage.

Projections indicate an increase in CO2 emissions in the region if unsanctioned projects do not incorporate CCS. These unsanctioned assets, which have not yet received a final investment decision, could represent 58% of the region’s total production while generating over 80% of upstream emissions by 2050.

Carbon Capture Hubs, a Regional Opportunity

Unsanctioned assets are concentrated in key regional basins, such as the East Natuna and Malay basins in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. These areas present opportunities for developing CCS hubs capable of capturing emissions from oil and gas reservoirs as well as reducing emissions from nearby industries. These hub projects are seen as strategic levers to minimize costs while expanding capture capacity in an industrially expanding region.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

HYCO1 and Malaysia LNG Sdn. Bhd. have signed a memorandum of understanding for a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and utilization project in Bintulu, Malaysia, aiming to transform 1 million tons of CO2 per year into low-emission syngas.
Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCU) technologies are gaining traction in hard-to-decarbonize industrial sectors, offering innovative and economically viable solutions. The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies report explores these new pathways.
Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCU) technologies are gaining traction in hard-to-decarbonize industrial sectors, offering innovative and economically viable solutions. The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies report explores these new pathways.
The outcome of Australia's elections could redefine national carbon market regulations, potentially triggering significant shifts in emissions reduction policies, directly impacting local carbon credit prices (ACCU).
The outcome of Australia's elections could redefine national carbon market regulations, potentially triggering significant shifts in emissions reduction policies, directly impacting local carbon credit prices (ACCU).
According to the latest data from S&P Global Commodity Insights, voluntary carbon markets experienced a significant contraction, with renewable credit retirements dropping by 34% in March and issuances decreasing by half.
According to the latest data from S&P Global Commodity Insights, voluntary carbon markets experienced a significant contraction, with renewable credit retirements dropping by 34% in March and issuances decreasing by half.
Telecom operators and data centres recorded a rise in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, diverging from the national decline reported during the same year.
Fidelis Infrastructure has entered a 15-year agreement with Microsoft to supply biomass-based carbon capture solutions in Baton Rouge, marking the world’s largest permanent carbon removal transaction to date.
Fidelis Infrastructure has entered a 15-year agreement with Microsoft to supply biomass-based carbon capture solutions in Baton Rouge, marking the world’s largest permanent carbon removal transaction to date.
The Danish government has granted Norne Thorning Storage an exploration licence to assess the Thorning geological structure for potential underground carbon dioxide storage by 2030.
The Danish government has granted Norne Thorning Storage an exploration licence to assess the Thorning geological structure for potential underground carbon dioxide storage by 2030.
Gevo and Future Energy Global have signed a multi-year agreement covering carbon credits from sustainable aviation fuels, supporting the construction of a new production facility in the United States.
Gevo and Future Energy Global have signed a multi-year agreement covering carbon credits from sustainable aviation fuels, supporting the construction of a new production facility in the United States.
In Brasilia, China and India urged BRICS members to resist carbon taxes and trade measures imposed without international consensus, calling for stronger existing multilateral frameworks.
Subsea7 has been awarded a major contract by Equinor for Phase 2 of the Northern Lights project, involving the installation of a CO2 pipeline offshore Norway, with operations scheduled for 2026 and 2027.
Subsea7 has been awarded a major contract by Equinor for Phase 2 of the Northern Lights project, involving the installation of a CO2 pipeline offshore Norway, with operations scheduled for 2026 and 2027.
Driven by investment in low-carbon technologies, the global decarbonisation market is expected to reach $4.7tn by 2033, according to Allied Market Research, with an average annual growth rate of 8.1%.
Driven by investment in low-carbon technologies, the global decarbonisation market is expected to reach $4.7tn by 2033, according to Allied Market Research, with an average annual growth rate of 8.1%.
Norwegian joint venture Northern Lights, backed by Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies, will invest NOK7.5bn to expand its CO2 storage infrastructure following a new industrial contract signed in Sweden.
Norwegian joint venture Northern Lights, backed by Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies, will invest NOK7.5bn to expand its CO2 storage infrastructure following a new industrial contract signed in Sweden.
Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Corporation has entered into a strategic partnership with Alt Carbon to scale up carbon dioxide removal across South Asia through an emerging mineral-based technology.
British and European carbon markets extended gains, boosted by geopolitical tensions and prospects of aligning emissions trading systems.
British and European carbon markets extended gains, boosted by geopolitical tensions and prospects of aligning emissions trading systems.
Carbon Mapper and Planet Labs PBC will provide satellite data to California in support of a public programme targeting emission reductions in high-intensity sectors.
Carbon Mapper and Planet Labs PBC will provide satellite data to California in support of a public programme targeting emission reductions in high-intensity sectors.
A coalition of 30 companies and public organizations has launched an initiative to establish a standardized protocol for carbon credit data, aiming to improve transparency and accelerate the growth of carbon markets.
A coalition of 30 companies and public organizations has launched an initiative to establish a standardized protocol for carbon credit data, aiming to improve transparency and accelerate the growth of carbon markets.
Amid political uncertainty, CO2 capture players in the United States are shifting their messaging to safeguard the tax incentives crucial to their survival. The sector is now focusing on economic and strategic arguments to persuade the government.
8 Rivers Capital has entrusted Wood with the preliminary engineering and design phase of a carbon capture project in Wyoming. This project, carried out with PacifiCorp, aims to modernize an existing power plant by integrating a technology utilizing supercritical CO₂.
8 Rivers Capital has entrusted Wood with the preliminary engineering and design phase of a carbon capture project in Wyoming. This project, carried out with PacifiCorp, aims to modernize an existing power plant by integrating a technology utilizing supercritical CO₂.
Recent movements in Europe’s carbon market have generated keen interest among investors. The price has experienced a notable decline, fueling questions about the forces that could trigger a potential rebound. -
Recent movements in Europe’s carbon market have generated keen interest among investors. The price has experienced a notable decline, fueling questions about the forces that could trigger a potential rebound. -
EU carbon permit prices declined at the end of February, influenced by market developments in gas and investor adjustments. Brussels' proposal concerning the CBAM has so far had little impact on market prices.
EU carbon permit prices declined at the end of February, influenced by market developments in gas and investor adjustments. Brussels' proposal concerning the CBAM has so far had little impact on market prices.
Perenco and its partners launch the first UK test for CO₂ injection into a depleted gas reservoir in the North Sea. This experimental phase aims to provide crucial data for the long-term geological storage of CO₂. ##
Captura, in collaboration with Equinor, has commissioned a new pilot facility in Kona, Hawaii, capable of capturing 1,000 tons of CO₂ per year. This milestone marks a key step toward the large-scale deployment of Direct Ocean Capture (DOC) technology.
Captura, in collaboration with Equinor, has commissioned a new pilot facility in Kona, Hawaii, capable of capturing 1,000 tons of CO₂ per year. This milestone marks a key step toward the large-scale deployment of Direct Ocean Capture (DOC) technology.
Lydian takes a strategic step forward by demonstrating a technology that uses captured CO2 and renewable electricity to produce sustainable aviation fuel, addressing both civil market demands and critical military needs.
Lydian takes a strategic step forward by demonstrating a technology that uses captured CO2 and renewable electricity to produce sustainable aviation fuel, addressing both civil market demands and critical military needs.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals new allometric equations dedicated to Colophospermum mopane. These models aim to better manage biomass and encourage decarbonization practices for economic players in the forestry sector.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals new allometric equations dedicated to Colophospermum mopane. These models aim to better manage biomass and encourage decarbonization practices for economic players in the forestry sector.

Advertising