Media Release
1 December 2009
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR CARBON STORAGE RESEARCH
The CO2CRC Otway Project, currently Australia’s only carbon dioxide storage research and demonstration facility, has
received additional support for a new phase of the project with $2 million committed by the Victorian Government.
“Storing carbon dioxide deep underground is the only technology we have for making deep cuts in fossil fuel-based
greenhouse gas emissions from industries such as electricity generation,” said Dr Peter Cook, Chief Executive of the
Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC).
“Support from government for continued research is essential if we are going to seriously tackle climate change and
bring the technology forward to commercial application.
“The new funding from the Victorian Government, which follows on from $4 million provided for Stage 1, coupled
with $20 million in support from the Federal Government for the extension of CO2CRC to 2015, shows strong State
and Federal commitment to carbon capture and storage (CCS) development,” he said.
Stage 2 of the CO2CRC Otway Project will research how carbon dioxide (CO2) can be stored in deep reservoir rocks
known as saline formations. All environmental and planning approvals are in place and a new injection well will be
drilled as soon as the rig contracts are finalised.
Saline formations are common around the world and could potentially provide safe, permanent storage for billions of
tonnes of CO2 – or many years’ worth of global emissions.
CO2CRC researchers will use smaller injections (under 10,000 tonnes) to evaluate several types of CO2 trapping
mechanisms and refine methods of monitoring CO2 storage in saline formations. Depending on results, a larger scale
injection could be down the track.
“The CO2CRC Otway Project has injected and stored over 60,000 tonnes of CO2 two kilometres underground,’ said Dr
Cook.
“The project has shown that CO2 can be safely injected, securely stored and effectively monitored. Stage 2 of the
CO2CRC Otway Project will allow us to improve how we do this in saline formations.”
The project’s rigorous monitoring and verification program will continue for the existing storage reservoir, and be
expanded to include Stage 2.
CCS is an important part of a portfolio of tools to tackle climate change, including energy efficiency, switching to less
carbon-intensive fuels, biological sequestration and renewable energy.
The Otway Project has been financially supported by the Australian Federal Government, the Victorian State
Government and the US Department of Energy, as well as CO2CRC members.
Further information: Dr Peter Cook, +61 2 6120 1600, 0419 490 044, pjcook@co2crc.com.au
Media assistance: Tony Steeper, 0417 697 470, tsteeper@co2crc.com.au
CO2CRC collaborates with leading international and national CCS experts to conduct world-class research into carbon capture and storage.
Organisations participating in CO2CRC research include CSIRO, Geoscience Australia, the Universities of Adelaide, Curtin, Melbourne, Monash and
NSW, the Alberta Research Council of Canada and the US Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Industry and State core partners supporting CO2CRC are ACARP, Anglo American, BHP Billiton, BP Australia, Chevron, ConocoPhillips,
Foundation for Research Science and Technology (NZ), INPEX, KIGAM, Mitsui, NSW Department of Primary Industries, NZ Resource Consortium,
Origin, QER, QLD Department of Mines and Energy, Rio Tinto, Sasol, Schlumberger, Shell, Solid Energy, Stanwell, Total, the Victorian Department
of Primary Industries, WA Department of Mines and Petroleum, Woodside and Xstrata.
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