PERTH (miningweekly.com) – US energy major Chevron has teamed up with the Australian School of Petroleum and Energy Resources to support carbon capture and storage (CCS) research.

Chevron will contribute more than A$2.45-million to create a new facility for carbon storage research that will accelerate Australia’s transition to cleaner energy sources and net zero emissions. The facility, which will be located at the University of Adelaide, will enable researchers to investigate how carbon dioxide (CO₂) is stored within geological formations after its injection into subsurface reservoirs, and how CO₂ flows through and interacts with rocks and pore waters on a microscopic scale.

Chevron MD Mark Hatfield said the company is committed to supporting the deployment of CCS in Australia and globally.

“The Gorgon carbon capture and storage system has safely injected more than five-million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions since starting up in 2019, the largest volume injected by any system of its kind within such a timeframe,” said Hatfield.

“Chevron is committed to sharing the lessons we’ve learned in this pioneering endeavour and we’re proud to be advancing Australia’s world-leading carbon capture and storage capabilities together with the University of Adelaide.”

Chevron Australia will also support a five-year academic staff position in Carbon Storage Engineering and a three-year Senior Research Fellow position in Carbon Storage Science.

Head of School Dr Kathryn Amos said the University of Adelaide is pleased to be partnering with Chevron.

“CCS represents one of Australia’s most significant opportunities to meet net zero carbon emissions,” said Amos.

"Fundamental and applied research undertaken at the new facility will produce engineering and geoscience outcomes that will help tackle one of society’s most pressing challenges.”