Carbon capture and return (or carbon capture and storage) is a safe, reliable and proven technology which stops CO₂ emissions from entering the atmosphere and contributing to climate change.
This technology captures carbon dioxide at power stations or industrial facility and returns it safely and permanently in deep underground geological structures.
Carbon capture and return is being used successfully across the world including in Norway (Sleipner), Canada (Boundary Dam) and the United States (Petra Nova). The International Energy Agency cites carbon capture and return as one of the only technology solutions that can significantly reduce emissions from coal and gas power generation and deliver the deep emissions reductions needed across key industrial processes such as steel, cement and chemicals manufacturing, all of which will remain vital building blocks of modern society. There is big potential for carbon capture and return to be used commercially in Australia. When it commences carbon dioxide injection, the Gorgon Project in Western Australia will be the largest project of its type in the world.
Other Australian projects have successfully demonstrated this technology: the Callide Oxyfuel project capturing carbon dioxide at an operating power station in Queensland, and the CO2 CRC injecting 65,000 tonnes of CO2 into a depleted gas field in Victoria’s Otway Ranges.
Watch our video to understand more about how this safe, proven and reliable technology can be used to reduce emissions while supporting the delivery of reliable and affordable energy.