The Bonaparte CCS Project Awarded Major Project Status
The Bonaparte CCS project has made history by becoming the first offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) project to receive Major Project Status from the Australian Government. This significant recognition underscores the project’s potential to support a lower carbon future and align with Australia’s net zero goals.
Operated by the Bonaparte CCS Assessment Joint Venture, which includes key players like Inpex Browse E&P, TotalEnergies CCS Australia, and Woodside Energy, the project has been making strides towards establishing a sustainable and efficient CCS solution.
Unlocking Potential in the Bonaparte Basin
Located approximately 250 kilometers offshore Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia, the Bonaparte Basin has been identified as a high-quality saline aquifer reservoir suitable for safe and permanent carbon storage. This promising reservoir has the capacity to store more than 10 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year.
With plans to commence CO2 injection around 2030, the Joint Venture has already initiated preliminary front-end engineering design (FEED) work to pave the way for a successful implementation of the project. Detailed analysis of reservoir appraisal data is also underway to support the application for a greenhouse gas injection license.
Driving Emissions Reductions and Economic Growth
The Australian government’s recognition of the Bonaparte CCS project’s strategic importance highlights the crucial role of CCS in achieving large-scale emissions reductions in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. With Australia hosting operational CCS projects like Chevron’s Gorgon and Santos–Beach Energy’s Moomba projects, the country is well-positioned to lead the way in decarbonization efforts.
According to industry experts, Australia will need to build between two and 20 Moomba-scale CCS projects each year to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The Bonaparte CCS project, with its potential to be one of the largest commercial CCS projects globally, could play a significant role in this transition.
Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future
Industry leaders have lauded the Australian government’s decision to award Major Project Status to the Bonaparte CCS project, emphasizing the project’s potential to create new jobs, attract investments, and drive emissions reduction opportunities in the Northern Territory. This proposed project not only underscores the importance of the oil and gas industry in the region’s economic growth but also sets a precedent for sustainable energy solutions.
As the Joint Venture continues to progress towards the implementation phase, the Bonaparte CCS project stands as a beacon of hope for a greener future, showcasing the power of collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning in combating climate change.