OPEC’s 4th Workshop on Energy Technology

OPEC’s proactive initiative on the development of low carbon technology solutions, as part of the transition to meeting the 2050 Net Zero goal, was highlighted during their 4^th workshop on Technology, held on 23^rd May. The virtual event covered a series of topics including the circular carbon economy, carbon capture, transport and storage. Attention was also focused on CO₂ enhanced oil recovery, chemical synthesis using a CO₂ feedstock, hydrogen sourced from hydrocarbons and voluntary carbon markets. The first session, chaired by IEAGHG’s James Craig, began with key features which will govern the transportation of CO₂ either by pipeline or sea tankers. The conclusion from a study commissioned by IEAGHG concluded that the most economic solution from countries with large industrial clusters near the coast, and offshore storage, is to ship the CO₂ to a terminal before delivery via pipeline to an offshore storage site, as proposed by the Norther Lights project. Future options may vary depending on regional circumstances.

Dr. Noura Al-Mansouri from KAPSARC summarized how the organization is engaged with development of the carbon circular economy (CCE). KAPSARC have formulated a CCE Index which sets out to from a robust quantitative framework to measure country performance and progress towards national targets based on a CCE.

A CO₂ capture technology based on a post-carbon amine solution linked to cyclone system was presented by Asam Rafi from Carbon Clean. The key benefit, claimed by the company, is lower cost compared to other similar capture systems and a smaller foot print to treat the same volume of flue gas. Cost reduction can be partially achieved by modular fabrication prior to site installation. Trials are being conducted at a gas turbine facility, an energy from waste site and at cement production plants.

Another capture technology, direct air capture (DAC), was highlighted by Dr. Amy Ruddock, from Carbon Engineering Ltd. DAC also lends itself to modular units that can be delivered to any location to form multiple units. The company began with a pilot plant in 2015.A first-of-a-kind DAC plant, cable of capturing 1 M tonnes a year of CO₂, has reach a front-end engineering design (FEED) stage and could be operational by 2024.

The first session concluded with a summary of Equinor’s impressive contribution to CCS by Dr. Sveinung Hagen. The pioneering approach, began in 1996 with the Sleipner project, was followed by Snøhvit in 2008. The experience gained from these projects lay the foundation for Northern Lights, now under construction. Even greater scale-up is planned and by 2028 CO₂ from locations across north-west European should be reaching offshore storage sites in the North Sea.

This workshop, as well as many others, reflects the growing expansion and confidence in global CCS development. For more information on the topics from the first session please go the following websites:

1. IEAGHG, The Status and Challenges of CO₂ Shipping Infrastructures, 2020-10.
2. https://www.kapsarc.org/research/publications/the-circular-carbon-economy-index-2021-results/
3. https://www.carbonclean.com/
4. www.carbonengineering.com
5. https://www.equinor.com/