The Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) and oil and gas company Woodside are collaborating on a carbon-to-products pilot project that proposes to recycle greenhouse gases into useful products.
The two parties have agreed a term sheet setting out the terms of a proposed option to lease land. The option to lease land will provide for Woodside’s use of EMRC’s Red Hill Waste Management Eco Park for a proposed pilot Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) facility, and for the supply of landfill gas by ERMC to Woodside.
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The proposed CCU facility would convert greenhouse gases, such as methane and carbon dioxide, into value-added ethanol, using technologies developed by US-based companies ReCarbon and LanzaTech. The pilot aims to demonstrate that the integration of these technologies has the potential to contribute to decarbonisation and a circular carbon economy.
Following execution of the option to lease, exercise of the option to lease and construction of the CCU facility is subject to a final investment decision by Woodside targeted to occur in the second half of 2022, with a targeted completion and commissioning date in the second half of 2024.
EMRC chairman Cr Mel Congerton said, “Woodside and the EMRC are today jointly announcing an exciting development which aims to radically change the way we approach our aspirations of net zero emissions. It is a major step forward on the journey towards sustainable protection of the environment we all share.”
Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill welcomed the collaboration with EMRC and the shared drive to explore the potential of Carbon Capture and Utilisation.
“Woodside believes Carbon Capture and Utilisation is an emerging field as customers seek lower-carbon solutions,” she said.
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“Woodside’s climate strategy has two key elements: reducing our net equity Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, and investing in the products and services that our customers need as they too reduce their emissions.
“Carbon Capture and Utilisation has the potential to contribute to both elements of our climate strategy.
“To have a pilot Carbon Capture and Utilisation facility right here in Western Australia, where Woodside has pioneered other technologies, is also very exciting.”
