Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) has a role to play in WesCEF’s decarbonisation journey.

For many years, WesCEF has used the carbon dioxide generated from its operations, with approximately 45,000 tonnes a year sold for end use in the food, beverage, water processing and metals refining industries.

WesCEF is able to do this due to the nature of its carbon dioxide emissions. When manufacturing the chemical ammonia, WesCEF produces hydrogen, and this process generates high purity carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide stream is also ideally suited to carbon capture and storage (CCS), as it is readily able to be compressed and transported for injection into permanent geological storage locations. In contrast, other industrial carbon dioxide sources (such as combustion emissions) require additional processing, which adds to the cost and technical complexity of implementing CCS.

WesCEF is considering a range of CCUS solutions to reduce its emissions, one of which involves partnering with Mitsui & Co. Ltd. The partnership is exploring the use of Mitsui’s depleted gas fields in the Perth Basin, approximately 400 kilometres north of Perth, as potential carbon dioxide storage locations.

Still in its initial stages, the feasibility assessment will confirm the suitability and economic viability of these depleted gas fields for storage.