ExxonMobil begins design studies for Australia carbon capture hub

ExxonMobil is undertaking early front-end engineering design studies (pre-FEED) to determine the potential for carbon capture and storage to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from multiple industries in the Gippsland basin.

The South East Australia carbon capture and storage (SEA CCS) hub would initially use existing infrastructure to store CO₂ in depleted Bream field off the coast of Gippsland, Victoria. ExxonMobil is in active discussions with local industries which may be interested in accessing the hub to reduce emissions from their operations, the company said in an Apr. 14 release.

The project is designed to capture up to 2 million metric tons/year (tpy) of CO₂. If technical and business feasibility is confirmed, the SEA CCS hub could be operational by 2025.