Off the coast of China, a vast, untapped resource lies hidden beneath the waves, offering a potential game-changer in the global fight against climate change. This resource isn’t oil or gas, but the empty spaces within sedimentary basins, which could serve as massive carbon sinks, permanently isolating CO2 from the atmosphere. This is the focus of a recent study led by Jianghui Li, a researcher at the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University.
The concept is known as offshore carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). It involves capturing CO2 emissions from industrial sources and injecting them into geological reservoirs under the seabed. The idea isn’t new, but Li’s research, published in Fundamental Research, explores the feasibility and potential of this technology in China, a country grappling with significant carbon emissions.
China’s coastal regions are a hotspot for industrial activity and, consequently, CO2 emissions. Fourteen coastal provincial administrative regions account for over 4.2 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions annually, roughly 41% of the country’s total. This is where offshore CCUS could make a substantial difference. “The storage capacity of the sedimentary basins offshore China is estimated to be between 573 and 779 gigatonnes of CO2,” Li explains. “This could potentially store 140 to 190 years of emissions from these coastal regions.”
The benefits are clear. Offshore CCUS could help China meet its carbon-neutral goals, avoid complex legal regulations, and circumvent public opposition often associated with onshore storage. However, the path to commercial-scale deployment is fraught with challenges, primarily economic. Significant technological innovations, national contributions, and business investments are required, particularly in the eastern and southeastern regions.
The energy sector is watching these developments closely. Offshore CCUS presents an opportunity to decarbonize industrial processes, making them more sustainable and aligning with global climate goals. However, it also requires substantial investment and innovation. Companies operating in China’s coastal regions may need to explore partnerships, invest in research and development, and advocate for supportive policies.
Li’s research also highlights the potential for a commercial full value chain, from CO2 capture to storage. This could open up new business opportunities, from the development of capture technologies to the construction and operation of storage sites. Moreover, it could stimulate economic growth in coastal regions, creating jobs and fostering innovation.
The implications of this research extend beyond China. If successful, offshore CCUS could be replicated in other countries with significant coastal industrial activity and suitable geological formations. It could become a key tool in the global effort to mitigate climate change, helping to achieve carbon neutrality.
However, the journey from potential to reality is long and uncertain. Technological, economic, and political hurdles must be overcome. But with researchers like Li at the helm, and the energy sector’s eye on the prize, the future of offshore CCUS looks promising. As Li puts it, “The necessity and suitability of offshore CCUS in China are evident. Now, it’s about turning potential into reality.”
