Moomba Carbon Capture and Storage Pipeline

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is the practice of carbon sequestration – instead of releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, it is captured and put back into the ground. CCS pipelines have different process and material requirements to those used for gas transmission pipelines which require special engineering consideration.

Fyfe’s scope to date includes undertaking the concept design for the pipeline which involved preliminary sizing and pipe selection along with the survey and coordinating geotechnical studies. Fyfe survey crews have completed pegging the intended pipeline path, having considered the best route through the Cooper Basin. This involved avoiding sites of cultural significance, minimising the footprint on the environment; whilst also factoring in the most cost-efficient length and construction considerations. The data and information generated by Fyfe have been used to inform the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) process which is currently being undertaken and Santos plans to be ready to take a final investment decision by the end of 2020.

The federal government has identified CCS as a critical technology to facilitating decarbonising the economy. If implemented the proposed Santos Carbon Capture and Storage project would reduce emissions by 1.7 million tonnes per annum with potential for future expansion. The Federal Government has announced a $1.9 billion investment in technology to reduce carbon emissions which includes CCS technology.

As of September 2020, there is only one pipeline in Australia for carbon dioxide sequestration which is located on Barrow Island Western Australia. If this project proceeds, it will be the largest CCS pipeline in Australia.