Last week, more than 1,100 delegates from 41 countries gathered in Perth for the 18th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference (GHGT-18), bringing together global leaders in industry, government and research to showcase the latest developments in carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS).
The world's leading CCUS conference highlighted the progress made in developing CCUS technologies over the past 25 years, from early research to major commercial projects delivering emissions reductions today. Discussions focused on the research, innovation, investment and policy settings needed to accelerate deployment and support the next generation of projects.
In welcoming delegates to Western Australia, State Development Minister David Michael highlighted the state's growing pipeline of CCS projects, expertise and technological capabilities, and the important role of CCS in achieving its emissions reduction goals.
Australian Energy Producers was proud to co-host GHGT-18 alongside IEAGHG, CO2CRC, CSIRO and Geoscience Australia, bringing the international CCUS community to Australia at a critical time for the industry's development.
Ahead of the Conference, Australian Energy Producers and its fellow co-hosts issued a joint media release highlighting Australia's growing role in advancing CCUS, its world-class geological storage resources and the importance of international collaboration to accelerate deployment.
Australia's CCUS opportunity in focus
A key theme throughout the Conference was Australia's opportunity to become a regional leader in CCUS, with two of the world's largest operating CCS projects, vast geological storage capacity and strong regional demand for decarbonisation solutions.
The dedicated Business Stream brought together industry leaders, policymakers and international experts to examine the commercial, regulatory and investment challenges of developing a globally significant CCUS industry.
Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch and General Manager Policy Brendan Beck participated in and moderated a range of discussions alongside senior representatives from organisations including Santos, Chevron Australia, INPEX, Woodside Energy, Mitsui E&P Australia, Yara Pilbara and the CarbonNet Project.
The discussions explored Australia's experience in delivering major CCS projects, its technical and research capabilities, and opportunities to accelerate CCUS deployment at home and across the region.
Other Business Stream discussions examined the importance of public-private collaboration in unlocking investment and building durable policy frameworks, the role of CCUS in reducing emissions from hard-to-abate industries and the opportunities presented by international CO₂ transport and storage.
Scaling up CCUS through investment and collaboration
The Conference also highlighted the challenge of moving from existing commercial CCS operations to a globally connected industry capable of delivering emissions reductions across multiple sectors and regions.
Panel discussions explored lessons from existing projects, priorities for future development and the investment and policy frameworks needed to accelerate CCUS deployment.
The broader technical program showcased research and innovation across the CCUS value chain, including carbon capture technologies, geological storage, monitoring, transport infrastructure and emerging applications.
These discussions reflected the importance of continued research and technological development to reduce project risks, build investor and regulatory confidence and support deployment at greater scale.
Natural gas and CCUS both have important roles to play in balancing emissions reductions with energy security and industrial development. With the right policy settings, Australia has an opportunity to develop a leading regional CCUS industry, delivering emissions reductions, jobs and investment.
International collaboration and industry expertise
Beyond the formal program, GHGT-18 provided opportunities for researchers, project developers, technology providers, policymakers and industry representatives to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
Australian Energy Producers thanks IEAGHG, fellow co-hosts CO2CRC, CSIRO and Geoscience Australia, along with all speakers, sponsors, delegates and organisers who contributed to GHGT-18.