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Carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) is the process of capturing carbon dioxide formed during power generation and industrial processes and storing it so that it is not emitted into the atmosphere.

CO₂ can be captured directly from an industrial source, such as a cement kiln or oil and gas facility, using a variety of what are called separation technologies, including: absorption, adsorption, chemical looping, membrane gas separation or gas hydration.

No one solution will get us to net zero oil production. According to the International Energy Agency, carbon capture is currently the best technology available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large-scale fossil fuel usage, particularly power generation.

In the capture stage, equipment attached to industrial facilities diverts gas containing CO₂ (before it reaches the atmosphere) into vessels. Then a chemical separates and captures the CO₂.

The captured CO₂ is compressed to convert it to a liquid. A specially designed pipeline transfers the liquid CO₂ to the secure storage hub. The Pathways Alliance CCS project will follow existing pipeline routes as much as possible.

Finally, the liquid is injected into the storage hub deep underground. In this case, it will be injected into a non-potable saline aquifer (a permeable rock formation that contains groundwater too salty to be usable). The CO₂ stays permanently trapped underneath cap rock.

Yes. Canada already has CCS projects that have been reliably operating for years, and there are dozens more around the world. About 100 projects like ours are in progress in other countries, including Norway and the Netherlands. They’ve also proven that industry-government collaboration can help achieve net-zero goals.

Yes. The captured CO₂ is stored more than one kilometre underground, well below any freshwater sources. The rock formations that have stored oil and gas for millions of years can also securely and permanently store CO₂. These overlying layers of impermeable rock act as natural seals.

Careful site selection and rigorous monitoring ensure the injected CO₂ remains sequestered and doesn’t have an impact on freshwater, plants, soil, or geological stability.

Yes. Alberta adopted CCS technologies early, so the province is governed by comprehensive legislation.

The Pathways Alliance team is made up of scientists and engineers with significant technical experience in subsurface reservoirs, rock properties, and safe transportation and storage of gasses. They’ll also conduct extensive and regular monitoring of:

• injection wells
• storage formation
• deep monitoring wells
• shallow groundwater wells

Yes. More than 200 engineers, scientists, and experts are working to achieve our net-zero goal. Our working groups are studying and advancing more than 70 technologies, including:

• Next-generation carbon capture.
• Direct air capture for underground storage and conversion to liquid fuels.
• Natural gas decarbonization from in situ operations.
• Ways to better manage fugitive emissions.
• Fuel-switching that will replace coke-fired boilers with significantly lower-emission cogeneration units.
• New water treatment tech to lower emissions through improved water recycling.

We’re also working on:

• A pilot project on molten carbonate fuel cell technology for more efficient carbon capture.
• A study to evaluate the feasibility of CO₂ sequestration in depleted gas reservoirs.
• Ongoing solvent-injection testing to reduce the amount of steam needed to extract oil.
• Using clean-burning hydrogen fuel in oil sands operations.
• Assessing the future viability of small modular reactors as a safe, versatile, and scalable technology.
• Studying the potential for using low-emission deep geothermal energy in the oil sands.
• Alternative bitumen extraction methods.
• Electrification of mining trucks to move materials more efficiently and reduce emissions.
• Applying high-temperature, reverse-osmosis membrane technology. This could reduce emissions by producing water that doesn’t need constant heating and cooling.
• Accelerating tech that transforms CO₂ into usable products through the Alberta Carbon Conversion Technology Centre and Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance.

Get more details about these technologies

Read more about the progress we’ve made

We continue to work with the federal and Alberta governments to ensure Canada’s CCS co-funding programs and regulatory environment are globally competitive, and that emissions reduction targets for our industry are realistic and achievable.

We’re encouraged the Government of Alberta selected our proposed carbon capture and storage hub near Cold Lake to advance to the next stage of evaluation.

The federal government announced an Investment Tax Credit for carbon capture utilization and storage projects. It’s a positive step forward in our foundational CCS project and our efforts to help Canada achieve its climate goals. And we’ll keep advocating for more support from governments to make sure Canada’s industries are on an even playing field with global competitors.