The world’s largest carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, operated by Chevron at the Gorgon gas field off Western Australia, has reported its lowest level of CO2 captured and stored since commencing operations in August 2019. The latest data shows just 1.33 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 were captured in FY 2024-25.
Key Takeaways
- Gorgon CCS captured only 1.33 Mt of CO2, the lowest since its start in August 2019.
- The project’s performance has declined significantly; it captures just 25% of the total CO2 emissions from Gorgon and associated gas fields.
- Even at full capacity, Gorgon CCS would only capture about 8% of total emissions related to its operations.
The decline in carbon capture performance is concerning as it underscores the limited impact of CCS technology on reducing overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The project’s design rate aims for capturing and storing up to 4 Mt CO2 annually, but even this figure would only address a small fraction of total emissions.
According to Climate Action Tracker, current global trends suggest a rise in average temperature by 2.6°C above pre-industrial levels if no significant action is taken. The fossil fuel industry has highlighted CCS as one potential solution to mitigate climate change impacts but the Gorgon project’s performance raises doubts about its efficacy.
Comparatively, other gas fields with proposed CCS projects like Woodside’s Browse and Inpex’s Bonaparte show similar limitations in their capacity to significantly reduce GHG emissions. For instance, if all the gas from the Gorgon fields were burned at power stations in Asia-Pacific, it would result in 50 MtCO2 annually, with only 2.66% captured by CCS.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much CO2 does the Gorgon project capture compared to its total emissions?
The Gorgon CCS captures only 1.33 Mt of CO2 annually, which is just 8% of the total emissions if it operates at full capacity and even less in reality.
What percentage of CO2 does the Gorgon project capture compared to its associated gas fields?
The Gorgon CCS captures only 25% of the CO2 from the Gorgon and associated gas fields, highlighting significant underperformance.
In conclusion, while the Gorgon CCS project represents a major effort in carbon capture technology, its current performance raises questions about the scalability and effectiveness of CCS as a solution to mitigate climate change. The data indicates that alternative strategies may be necessary to achieve meaningful reductions in GHG emissions.
