THE Western Australian state government has announced a $26 million funding boost to support two carbon capture projects.

A $15 million grant will support AGIG to develop an onshore transmission pipeline for an offshore multi-user carbon capture and storage (CCS) hub in the Pilbara.

The project will help transport carbon dioxide from facilities on the Burrup into depleted gas fields, sequestering up to five million tonnes of carbon dioxide in its first phases.

Another $11 million grant will support Mitsui E&P Australia and Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers develop the Cygnus CCS Hub in the Mid West.

It will initially store around 530 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide per annum from the Waitsia Gas Plant and Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers’ CSBP ammonia plant in Kwinana in a depleted gas reservoir.

The government wants to position WA as a world leader in carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), and the two projects are part of the the state’s first CCUS Action Plan.

A government media release on 21 November said CCUS technologies that capture and store, or make use of, carbon dioxide emissions from industrial activities and will play a critical role in hard-to-abate industries globally.

WA has numerous CCUS projects proposed for development over the next decade, with an initial combined capacity to store more than 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year – around a quarter of WA’s current scope one emissions.

“The Action Plan aims to enhance policy certainty, attract further investment into the State, and accelerate the deployment of proven technology and infrastructure – leveraging WA’s existing infrastructure, highly skilled workforce and suitable geological formations,” the release said.

Mines and Petroleum Minister, David Michael, said WA is ready to launch a new industry to help industry to decarbonise and this year had passed a Bill to enable the transport and injection of greenhouse gas emissions.

“Industry stakeholders are now working closely with Government to develop and finalise the regulations governing how CCUS will operate in WA,” he said.

“CCUS is recognised as being part of the decarbonisation mix to reach net zero.”