The Australian government is a strong proponent of carbon-reducing technologies including Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS). Australia continues to spearhead initiatives and programmes on clean technology to strengthen domestic and international collaborations and to lower the costs of these innovations. The Northern Territory is an Australian territory rich in gas reserves and has subsequently pushed ahead with its CCS hub better known as the Middle Arm CCS facility which is rapidly undergoing development. The project seeks to bolster the territory’s economy through the pursuit of low-emissions business activities, support the Australian government’s climate commitments, and assist the Asian region’s carbon-reducing plans. The background and objectives of the Middle Arm CCS facility were the highlights of the 9th ACN Knowledge Sharing Conference. The event was hosted by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) which serves as the secretariat of the Asia CCUS Network (ACN).

Mr Shigeru Kimura, Special Advisor to the President on Energy Affairs, ERIA delivered the Opening Remarks where he commended the Australian government’s progress in establishing a supportive ecosystem to realise CCS and CCUS projects as well as increase its application. Mr Kimura explained that the Northern Territory’s significant potential of carbon dioxide (CO2) enhanced gas recovery and depleted wells facilitates its aim to become a CCS hub. The success of the hub is largely influenced by CO2 transportation, namely shipping, which presents the Asian region with the opportunity to connect its transportation systems and partake in the CCS value chain.

Pertamina and the Japan Organisation for Metal and Energy Security (JOGMEC) presented the initial findings of their latest project on huff and puff carbon dioxide (CO2) enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the Jatibarang field in Indonesia. This pioneering work aims to promote Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCUS) technologies in Southeast Asia amid increased efforts to achieve net-zero emissions. The primary objective of the project is to acquire data that would facilitate a future pilot study. The initial project results were presented during the 8th ACN Knowledge Sharing Conference on 13 April 2023. The event was hosted by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) which serves as the secretariat of the Asia CCUS Network (ACN).

Mr Shigeru Kimura, Special Advisor to the President on Energy Affairs, ERIA delivered the Opening Remarks by underscoring the benefits of CO2 EOR for Southeast Asia as it is a lower-cost solution that can increase oil production. Thus, this technology is an ideal starting point to further promote CCS in the region. Event moderator, Mr I Gusti Suarnaya Sidemen, Expert on CCS/CCUS, ERIA stipulated that the 8th ACN Knowledge Sharing Conference was crucial ‘to promote collaboration and cooperation on the deployment of CCS/CCUS and accelerate decarbonisation in the Asian region.’ He further explained that the huff and puff method has existed since the 1960s, however, it has seen slow development due ‘to the availability of easier and cheaper ways to produce resources.’ As most oil fields in Asia are mostly depleted, there is an ongoing revival of this technology hence making the conference timely and relevant.

The 7th Knowledge Sharing Virtual Conference, 16 February 2023: Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) shared the results of its ground-breaking study on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) screening in Southeast Asia. The significance of CCS technology within Asia’s decarbonisation goals underscores the need to assess suitable carbon dioxide (CO2) storage sites swiftly and effectively. There are a multitude of obstacles in selecting storage sites on a regional scale including the lengthy process of collecting subsurface data as well as the lack of standardisation of the available subsurface data.

JOGMEC has taken the extraordinary step of developing a CCS screening method for the Southeast Asian region using uniform criteria. JOGMEC’s distinguished speakers partnered with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) – the secretariat of the Asia CCUS Network (ACN) – during the 7th ACN Knowledge Sharing Conference to share the results of their CCS screening methodology and their findings of Southeast Asia.

The 6th Knowledge Sharing Virtual Conference, 31 January 2023: Canadian company Carbon Engineering’s work in the commercialisation of direct air capture (DAC) technology offers the Asian region rich insights into the potential benefits and opportunities of this important carbon dioxide removal (CDR) innovation. With restricted time to cap global warming from exceeding 1.5°C and to prevent irreversible climate effects, DAC technology is a complementary solution to decarbonise hard-to-abate industries as well as to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on a large scale. As Asia and ASEAN move forward with their emissions reduction journey, DAC offers numerous advantages to support the region’s energy transition process. Carbon Engineering’s guest speakers collaborated with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) – the secretariat of the Asia CCUS Network (ACN) – during the 6th ACN Knowledge Sharing Conference to share their ongoing work on DAC and how it can be beneficial for the region, particularly, Southeast Asia.

The 5th Asia CCUS Network (ACN) Knowledge Sharing Conference

The Australian Government is focused on accelerating large-scale deployment of CCUS under its Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan through a range of measures and initiatives such as the National CCUS Technology Emissions Abatement Strategy (NCAS), the CCUS Development Fund and CCUS Hubs and Technologies programs. Underpinning these efforts is the technical and research work undertaken by key scientific and research organisations such as the CSIRO and Geoscience Australia. Australia is interested in working with like-minded countries on ways to deploy CCUS and values forums such as the Asia CCUS Network to share experiences and expertise.

This conference aims to share the experience from Australia on CCUS policy development as well as experiences from CCUS Development Fund grantees. There will be three guest speakers from Australia. Corporate Carbon who has received funding to support the development of direct air capture technology couple with solar PV that can produce a clean fuel with carbon neutrality.

The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) CCUS Initiative plays a critical role to support the adoption and deployment of CCUS around the world. The Asia CCUS Network is partnering with the CEM CCUS Initiative and the European Commission in co-hosting this knowledge-sharing conference on the topic of ‘Learning from failures – building on success: EU experience on CCUS’.

Governments across Southeast Asia are stepping up decarbonisation efforts with Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) technology becoming an increasingly central focus in policymaking. Numerous studies, including from the International Energy Agency, indicate the significant role CCUS innovation has in the path towards carbon neutrality. As population growth in ASEAN is expected to continue in the coming decades, the region must find a balance between increased energy demand and meeting its Paris Agreement goals.

Jakarta/Washington DC, 28 July 2021: The Asia Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) Network has full support from the US Department of Energy as Southeast Asia moves ahead in advancing the deployment of this carbon-neutral technology, CCUS. The 2nd Asia CCUS Network Knowledge Sharing Conference gathered stakeholders in Asia to share updated information on CCUS project development, regulatory framework, and the overall policy landscape under the Biden administration. The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) hosted the event in partnership with the US Department of Energy on 28 July 2021. Dr Han Phoumin, Senior Energy Economist at ERIA, kicked off the conference by highlighting the US’ expertise in clean technology development that could be beneficial for ASEAN.

Jakarta/Paris, 26 July 2021: The future of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies in Southeast Asia looks promising, based on a conference held by the Asia CCUS Network in partnership with the International Energy Agency (IEA). The discussion regarding this carbon-neutral technology was part of the ground-breaking 1st Asia CCUS Network Knowledge Sharing Conference held on 26 July 2021. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the East Asia Summit region initiated the Asia CCUS Network as a response to the significant challenges regarding the region’s future energy landscape on a low carbon energy transition as well as net-zero emissions; the network is managed by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) as its secretariat.