Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the Emirati state-owned oil company, announced on Tuesday a collaboration with US-based Occidental Petroleum to conduct a preliminary engineering study. The investigation will assess the viability of a large-scale project aimed at extracting carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere.
This study stems from an agreement inked earlier this year between the two entities. Their collaborative efforts focus on carbon capture and storage (CCS) as well as direct air capture (DAC) initiatives in both the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
If realized, the envisioned project would sequester up to one million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. This carbon dioxide would then be stored in saline reservoirs, distinct from those utilized for oil and gas production. Notably, this would position the facility as the first of its magnitude outside the United States specializing in direct air capture.
According to the United Nations’ International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the extraction of carbon dioxide directly from the environment is a pivotal strategy in the global effort to mitigate climate change. As per data from the International Energy Agency, there are currently 27 operational carbon capture sites globally. However, a promising number of at least 130 similar projects are in the developmental phase.
As the COP28 discussions loom, set to commence next month in Dubai, ADNOC is keen to emphasize its dedication to addressing climate change. Notably, the president-designate for these talks is Sultan Al Jaber, who also heads ADNOC.
In a related development on Tuesday, ADNOC’s gas subsidiary disclosed the awarding of a $615 million contract. This initiative, unveiled last month, encompasses the construction of carbon capture units, the development of pipeline infrastructure, and the establishment of a comprehensive well network for carbon dioxide injection.
