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Petrobras innovates in carbon capture, use and storage technology and breaks world record

Written by Valdemar Medeiros
Published 21/02/2023 às 22:38
Updated 27/02/2023 às 02:14
Petrobras innovates in carbon capture, use and storage technology and breaks world record
Photo: Folha – UOL/Disclosure

Petrobras has started catching up with other companies using its new carbon storage technology. 10,6 million tons have already been reinjected.

In the last year, the Petrobras broke the record for capture, storage and use of carbon dioxide (CO2) with its new technology called CCUS. Through this method, the state-owned company reintroduces the CO2 generated in the oil extraction in the reservoir itself. In this way, the production efficiency expands and the emission of polluting gases is reduced, also generating competitive gains in its activities.

Petrobras approaches other companies in the sector through new technology

In the last year alone, 10,6 million tons of CO2 were reinjected, equivalent to 25% of the total of the global industry in the last year, according to the Global CCS Institute. It is about largest carbon dioxide reuse operation in the world.

The president of Petrobras, Jean Paul Prates, said last week that the state-owned company, through carbon storage technology, is getting closer to other large companies in the segment to develop new opportunities for cooperation, both in the oil and gas sector and for the energy transition.

The statement was made after the executive received Wael Sawan, global CEO of Anglo-Dutch Shell, and Cristiano Pinto da Costa, president of Shell in Brazil, at the Petrobras building in Brasília. CCUS is the acronym for Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage, which, in practice, is an emission reduction technology that can be applied throughout the energy system.

CCUS technologies involve capturing and storing carbon, combusting fuel or in industrial processes, transporting CO2 by ship or pipeline, and using it as the resource to generate essential products or services.

What is the strategic role of the technology used by Petrobras?

Carbon storage technologies also provide the basis for removing CO2 or negative emissions, when the CO2 comes from biobased processes or directly from the atmosphere. CCUS is strategic as an option to reduce climate effects, and can be applied in several ways and in a variety of sectors, offering the potential to contribute to the reduction of emissions in almost all parts of the global energy system.

Consequently, progress in the development and deployment of this technology in one sector can generate important benefits for other sectors or applications, including for technological learning, cost reduction and infrastructure development.

A good example is the use in industrial plants and power plants, two sensitive areas for the clean energy transition.

Petrobras focuses on social and environmental projects

Petrobras launched a public notice that will allocate R$ 432 million to socio-environmental projects, with registration until April 11th. The public selection for this year's Petrobras program will be divided into two phases. In total, there will be almost 50 projects, which will have values ​​greater than those previously invested by the company.

In the first phase, the North, Midwest, Northeast and South regions will be covered. The company will invest BRL 162 million in socio-environmental initiatives, and the estimate is to contract around 20 projects that will be developed over a period of 3 years. In the second half, the second stage will be announced, which will also include the Southeast region.

In the North and Northeast, the public notice includes areas neighboring the operations of the so-called Equatorial Margin, the new frontier for exploration and production of oil and gas in Brazil, located between the states of Amapá and Rio Grande do Norte. The public notice focuses on non-profit institutions and registration is open until April 11th.

Valdemar Medeiros

Journalist in training, specialist in creating content with a focus on SEO actions. Writes about the Automotive Industry, Renewable Energy and Science and Technology

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