ADNOC starts work on fully sequestered CO2 injection well

State-owned ADNOC has begun work on the world’s first fully sequestered CO₂ injection well in a carbonate saline aquifer, it said on January 18. The project is expected to begin injecting CO₂ in Q2 2023.

“Once operational, the project will initially fully sequester a minimum of 18,000 metric tons/year of CO2 captured from Fertiglobe’s UAE operations for injection in Abu Dhabi’s onshore carbonate aquifers, supporting ADNOC’s ongoing efforts to safely capture and store CO₂ from its operations,” Yaser Saeed Almazrouei, ADNOC upstream executive director, said.

The CO₂ injection well project builds on ADNOC’s experience with its carbon capture facility at Al Reyadah, which has the capacity to capture up to 800,000 mt/yr of CO₂, the company said. The well location for CO₂ injection as well as targeted geological formations was identified using the results of ADNOC’s 3D seismic survey and its subsurface modelling capacity. 

The project will contribute to the production of lower-carbon ammonia. It will also be monitored and assessed, using technology at ADNOC’s Thamama Digital Centre of Excellence.  

ADNOC is focusing on low-carbon projects and has allocated $15bn for decarbonisation projects by 2030 including carbon capture, electrification, new CO2 absorption technology and enhanced investments in hydrogen and renewables.

Throughout 2023, a suite of new projects and initiatives will be announced, the company said on January 5.