Texas is once again leading the way in emerging and critical energy technology development. Just as Texas led the past decade’s shale revolution, Texas is leading the way on Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) in 2021.

Eleven companies, including Chevron Corp., Valero, Dow, and ExxonMobil are working to develop a CCS hub in Houston will demonstrate to the rest of the world that Texas continues to be an energy leader. According to the press release, the Houston CCS hub “could capture and store approximately 50 million metric tons of CO2 per year by 2030; 100 million by 2040.” This is a significant carbon reduction for vital industries such as chemical manufacturers who utilize natural gas.

What is a CCS Hub?

A CCS hub is a shared infrastructure system that brings multiple companies across industries together to transport and store their carbon emissions. Rather than each company using its own pipeline or truck to transport carbon from capture to storage, companies work together to reduce both their environmental impact and financial burden. In Houston, these companies include chemical, manufacturing, and power generation companies along with traditional oil and gas producers.

The concept is a bit like companies using a shared road to get to and from a central location rather than building 11 separate roads. Each company would connect to a centralized hub and utilize a shared system to efficiently move and store their carbon emissions.

The Critical Role of CCS Hubs

The announced Houston CCS hub project is both a proof of concept and validation for CCS hubs across the country and world. While CCS technology is nothing new (there are 65 commercial CCS facilities in operation or development internationally as of the end of 2020), the hubs are a concept just starting to take off.

CCS hubs benefit greatly from economies of scale and result in a significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Not only does this decrease the initial investment for each company, but it also helps to decrease a facility’s footprint, eliminating the need for on-site storage for each company.

In a statement to the Houston Chronicle, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said of the hub: “It’s exciting to see so many companies have already come together to talk about making Houston the world leader in carbon capture and storage. We’re reimagining what it means to be the energy capital of the world.”

Texas, And The United States, Are Leaders In Carbon Capture

Texas is proud to be a domestic and international leader in energy production and innovation, and the Houston CCS hub is a perfect example of how Texans continue to innovate, improve their communities, and contribute to the economic success of the Lonestar state. With projects like this, Houston will remain the energy capital of the world for decades to come.