Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) may not be a new technology but it is a vital solution in transitioning to a net zero carbon future. Being applicable across the energy value chain, CCUS technologies can further decarbonise and reduce our carbon emissions, through four major steps, namely carbon capture, transport, storage and utilisation. 

Recent trends on investment in energy projects show an emphasis on sustainability and decarbonisation efforts and this has pushed carbon reduction solutions like CCUS to the forefront. 

The implementation of CCUS entails seamless integration of subsurface and surface technologies from the reservoir to the topside of the offshore facilities. Meanwhile onshore, the CO₂ utilisation programme enables us to derive value from waste. This end-to-end solution will not only optimise operational results in terms of monetisation of high CO₂ fields but also support the sustainability goals.

Despite its multiple benefits, CCUS needs to be viable to be scaled up. Currently, the process of carbon capture is expensive due to significant deployment and energy costs. There is a strong push for countries and corporations to work together on an effective collaborative model, to attract investments making the scaling-up and deployment of CCUS a viable effort. Industry players and policymakers working together to push for the extensive adoption of this solution can create a positive technical and economic ecosystem for the implementation of CCUS across industries. 

At PETRONAS, to realise our aspiration of achieving net zero carbon emissions (NZCE) by 2050, we are employing CCS technology in our high CO₂ fields. We aim to further capture and store CO₂ emissions while maturing technologies for onshore processing plants to utilise and convert CO₂ into valuable products. 

The Kasawari Integrated Offshore High Contaminant project, a CCS project off the coast of Sarawak, is a strategic project, which is part of the PETRONAS Carbon Commitment and GHG emissions reduction efforts. 

The first injection of CO₂ is planned for commencement by the end of 2025. Once in operation, the project is expected to reduce CO₂ volume emitted via flaring by 76 million metric tonnes with an annual average of 3.7 million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa), making it one of the largest CCS projects in the world.