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 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 pipe that can be converted to transport CO₂. We’re using 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 transition.
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 tonnes². However, the International Energy Agency expects CCS to account for nearly 37% of all CO₂ reduction from industry in order to meet Net Zero by 2050. In turn, CCS is expected to grow significantly with global capacity to reach 7.6 billion metric tonnes by 2050².
Within the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates 5.2 billion metric tonnes of CO₂ are emitted each year³, with Louisiana being the second largest industrial emitter¹. Within Louisiana, the Mississippi River corridor emits 80 million metric tonnes per year and makes up nearly two thirds of Louisiana’s total industrial CO₂ emissions³.
Best Positioned to Provide CCS in Louisiana
EnLink has all the elements for a full-service CCS business. 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, 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 new pipeline networks in Louisiana’s diverse wetlands and environmentally sensitive areas.
EnLink formed a Carbon Solutions Group in June 2021 to pursue carbon capture and energy transition opportunities. The group quickly made progress, announcing in early 2022 that EnLink signed a memorandum of understanding with Talos Energy to provide a complete CCS service offering in Louisiana. EnLink is providing our midstream assets, while Talos brings their subsurface assets to the table. Talos executed agreements with a large landowner in southern Louisiana for approximately 26,000 surface acres providing capacity of over 500 million metric tonnes for permanent carbon sequestration. Importantly, these sequestration sites are proximate to existing EnLink pipelines that are well suited for conversion to CO₂ service.
- EPA FLIGHT Tool
- IEA - Net Zero by 2050, A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector
- EPA Greenhouse Gas Inventory Data Explorer 2019
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The information and data (collectively, Information) provided in EnLink’s 2021 Sustainability Report (Report) reflects content as of and for the period ending December 31, 2021, 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 May 3, 2022, 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. Unless otherwise provided, 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.