ADNOC breaks ground on world’s first fully sequestered CO2 injection project
(WO) — ADNOC has begun work on the world’s first fully sequestered carbon dioxide (CO2) injection well in a carbonate saline aquifer.
The project, which is expected to begin injecting CO2 in Q2 2023, marks another important step in ADNOC’s commitment to decarbonize its operations, reduce its carbon intensity by 25% by 2030 and deliver on its net zero by 2050 ambition.
This innovative project will support ADNOC’s carbon capture and storage program, which is part of the suite of new projects and initiatives the company is advancing following the guidance by ADNOC’s Board of Directors to accelerate the delivery of its low-carbon growth strategy and the allocation of $15 billion to decarbonize its operations.
CO2 injection well project
Once operational, the project will initially fully sequester a minimum of 18,000 tons per annum of CO2 captured from Fertiglobe’s UAE operations for injection in Abu Dhabi’s onshore carbonate aquifers.
The CO2 injection well project builds on ADNOC’s experience with its carbon capture facility at Al Reyadah, which has the capacity to capture up to 800,000 tons of CO2 per year. The well location for CO2 injection as well as targeted geological formations were identified using the results of ADNOC’s extensive 3D seismic survey and the company’s state-of-the-art subsurface modeling capacity.
The project will contribute to the production of lower-carbon ammonia. This effective and cost-competitive hydrogen carrier can be scaled up quickly and has lower-carbon intensity than other fuels.
The project will also be monitored and assessed, using advanced technology at ADNOC’s Thamama Digital Centre of Excellence, to ensure the highest levels of environmental safety as the company expands its carbon capture activities to capture 5 million tonnes per annum by 2030.
ADNOC’s multi-year decarbonization plan
The project is the latest in a series of decarbonization initiatives, including a landmark agreement for ADNOC to acquire 100% of its grid power from the Emirates Water and Electricity Company’s (EWEC) nuclear and solar sources. This agreement makes ADNOC the first major oil and gas company to decarbonize its power at scale through an agreement of this kind.
Additionally, ADNOC recently reached financial close on a $3.8 billion deal to build a MENA first-of-its-kind sub-sea transmission network, connecting ADNOC’s offshore operations to TAQA’s clean onshore power network which once complete, could reduce offshore carbon intensity by up to 50%.
