Carbon capture, transportation, and sequestration (CCS) is an innovative way for the world to meet global net-zero emissions.
At EnLink, we believe we are well positioned to be a carbon transportation leader in the CCS industry. Within the United States, Louisiana is the second largest industrial emitter of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions¹. EnLink operates an extensive pipeline network in Louisiana, with redundant pipelines that can be converted to transport CO₂. We’re leveraging this network, plus our existing relationships in Louisiana and decades of experience, to build a scalable CCS business and drive sustainable value in the energy transformation.
How CCS Works
CO₂ is emitted into the atmosphere from a wide range of industrial processes, including fertilizer production, hydrogen production, and power generation. Through existing proven technology, CO₂ can be captured from the source before it’s emitted into the atmosphere. The captured CO₂ can then be safely transported through pipelines, a process that is very similar to moving hydrocarbons. Finally, through the use of injection wells, CO₂ can be safely and permanently sequestered in geological formations.
The Need Here and Abroad
Globally, the CCS industry currently captures approximately 40 million metric tonnes . However, the International Energy Agency expects CCS to account for nearly 37% of all CO₂ reduction from industry to meet Net Zero goals by 2050. In turn, CCS is expected to grow significantly with global capacity to reach 7.6 billion metric tonnes by 20509.
Louisiana is the second largest industrial emitter within the United States¹. Within Louisiana, the Mississippi River corridor emits approximately 80 million metric tonnes per year and makes up nearly two thirds of Louisiana’s total industrial CO₂ emissions². In addition, Louisiana is uniquely positioned to foster the growth of the CCS industry due to the state’s world-class permanent, natural storage capabilities.
Best Positioned to Provide CCS in Louisiana
EnLink has all the elements for a full-service CO₂ transportation business in support of CCS initiatives. We bring a customer-focused mindset with decades of relationships in the Louisiana market. Additionally, EnLink owns approximately 4,000 miles of pipeline in the state of Louisiana, a significant portion of which can be converted to CO₂ service. Lastly, EnLink has decades of experience structuring and executing commercial contracts to accommodate customer needs and hundreds of employees located in Louisiana to service those customers.
EnLink currently connects to or has pipeline within several miles of the majority of industrial emitters in the region. With the extensive pipeline in the ground, the ability to repurpose existing pipeline benefits all parties, as it improves project timelines and costs. Perhaps most importantly, it reduces the potential project impact to the environment, as compared to building entirely new pipeline networks in Louisiana’s diverse wetlands and environmentally sensitive areas.
Addressing Current Industrial Emissions
In October 2022, EnLink entered into the first-of-its-kind definitive agreement with ExxonMobil for CO₂ transportation services from the Mississippi River corridor to ExxonMobil’s 125,000-acre CO₂ storage in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. Available reserved capacity under the agreement is up to 10 million metric tonnes per year (Mtpa), with an initial reserved capacity of 3.2 Mtpa, beginning in 2025 with a 25-year term.
This project will reduce current emissions from industrial facilities. To date, ExxonMobil has announced agreements to sequester CO₂ from industrial facilities in Louisiana owned by CF Industries and Nucor Corp. CCS projects like this one are an important part of Louisiana’s climate goals and will help the state become a leader in low-carbon manufacturing.
CCS Pipeline Safety
EnLink will operate CO₂ pipelines with the same high standards in which we operate all of EnLink’s pipelines. They will be monitored 24/7/365 through pressure, volume, temperature, and other controls. Even in the unlikely event of a leak occurring during transport, there is little human health risk when pure CO₂ is released into the air because it is not flammable or explosive and is a common substance found in Earth’s atmosphere. Plus, EnLink’s personnel are well trained to respond to any incident and regularly work with local first responders.
- EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program 2021
- IEA - Net Zero by 2050, A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector
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The information and data (collectively, “Information”) provided in EnLink’s 2022 Sustainability Report (“Report”) reflects content as of and for the period ending December 31, 2022, unless otherwise indicated. Such Information in this Report is for informational purposes only. EnLink does not make, and hereby expressly disclaims, any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the Information contained herein. This Report is being published on August 1, 2023, and EnLink has no obligation or duty to (1) update or correct the Information, (2) provide additional details regarding the Information, or (3) continue to provide the Information, in any form, in the future. EnLink reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify, update, change, delete, or supplement the Information from time to time without notice. The Information should not be interpreted as any form of guaranty or assurance of future results or trends. EnLink is not expressly incorporating by reference any of the Information into any filing of EnLink made with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or in any other filing, report, application, or statement made by EnLink to any federal, state, or local governmental authority. This Report contains information based upon EnLink’s role in the broader economy, environment, and society and for the purpose of responding to issues that are important to a wide range of interested parties. While events, scenarios, and efforts discussed in this report may be significant, any significance should not be read as necessarily rising to the level of materiality of the disclosures required under U.S. federal securities laws, which have distinct and specific concepts of materiality.