The Importance of CCUS In the Oil and

Gas Industry
March 1, 2022 Welcome

In today’s faced-paced world of commerce and industry, emissions

generated from natural gas recovery and processing can leave a
significant carbon footprint on the natural environment. However,
there is an effective way to circumvent the issues of natural gas
emissions—carbon, capture, utilization, and storage systems.

How Does CCUS Work?

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is mediated by various

technologies that repurpose carbon emitted by industrial processes.
CCUS is a combination of utilization and storage, where carbon
emissions can either be re-introduced in manufacturing or pumped into
underground formations for safe storage.

Common technologies used in CCUS are:

 CO2 electrolysis
 Carbon neutral fuels
 CO2 feedstock for chemical synthesis
 Enhanced oil and gas recovery
 Microalgae biofuel
 Plant-based carbon capture

These methods represent remarkable strides in repurposing carbon

from various industries that significantly contribute to the global carbon
emission burden.

CCUS Opportunities and Applications for O&G

Since the onset of carbon sequestration and storage, the oil and gas
industry has been one of the earliest adopters. Industry operators have
since recognized the benefits of integrating CCUS technology in their
processes. Several oil and gas processes generate highly
concentrated streams of CO2 that can be used for low-cost CCUS
applications.

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage have opened several

possibilities in the oil and gas industry, including the following:

 Enhanced oil and gas recovery from dwindling gas formations

 Ethanol production
 Oil and gas refining
 Low carbon hydrogen generation
 Gas-fired power generation
 Direct air capture

Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery

Rather than release carbon-containing gases into the environment, oil

and gas operators can channel them into natural gas formations to
improve dwindling pressures and sustain productivity.
Ethanol Production

The industrial process of manufacturing large quantities of ethanol can

be optimized by integrating carbon capture and utilization
technologies.

Oil and Gas Refining

Several points in the oil refining process generate large volumes of

carbon dioxide gas. For example, CO2 produced from steam methane
reformers can be captured safely for re-use and storage in several
O&G applications.

Low Carbon Hydrogen Generation

Low carbon energy generation represents one of the newer, cleaner

fuel sources in large-scale industrial operations. Low carbon hydrogen
fuels produce no carbon when they burn and are being hailed as the
new liquefied natural gas.

Gas Fired Energy Generation

This technology uses CO2 as the base resource in energy generation

for both industrial and domestic use. Carbon capture done this way
ensures a higher energy generation output while simultaneously
lowering the carbon footprint.

How Does CCUS Technology Benefit the Oil and Gas

Industry?
Let’s explore some key advantages of applying carbon capture and
utilization in the oil and gas industry