The Interchange Recharged: live at Wood Mackenzie's CCUS Conference – Part two

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage is evolving rapidly from a niche market to a mainstream investment theme. To explore the technology, financing and science behind this key piece of the energy transition puzzle, industry leaders and analysts met in Houston for Wood Mackenzie’s CCUS Conference.

The Interchange Recharged was there, capturing the best conversations and debates from a packed day of discussion. There was so much to unpack, that we couldn’t fit it all into one podcast, so here’s part two of our special broadcast from the conference.

There is push in the industry for collaboration between emitters and sequestration, but also between government and policy with permitting. It’s a complex task, but vital for developing CCUS infrastructure in as efficiently as possible.

First to join David in the studio was Melany Vargas – VP, Head of Hydrogen Consulting at Wood Mac. There are mutual implications between hydrogen and CCUS; hydrogen, as a clean energy alternative will replace existing energy sources. CCUS allows for the continued use of these, while theoretically removing the harmful emissions. Blue hydrogen in particular has a value: you’re producing a product with commercial value. That creates the impetus for the application of CCS – you need to justify investment in those harder-to-abate other sectors.

Following the examination of hydrogen, David sat down with Brandon Bromberek, Vice-President of oil and gas measurement solutions at Emerson Automated Solutions. Brandon looks at the impact of the IRA, with fiscal momentum helping to make projects more economic, and the shifting in political direction to stand behind carbon capture as a whole.

Together David and Brandon explore the regulation around the world – Canada seems to be further ahead than anyone else. Why?

Carl Fortin is Global Business Manager, carbon capture and storage at ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions. He sat down for a Fireside chat during the day, focused on developing a robust CCUS portfolio. He joins David on the podcast today to explain more about it. We’re behind as a society in trying to get to the pace necessary to meet our ambitions for decarbonisation, says Carl. How can we improve value chains and accelerate?

Finally, Tom Nelson from Compact Membrane Systems joins us to explore the biggest challenges in the industry, and how partnerships between engineers and energy producers need to improve to speed up the rollout of CCUS projects.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show and check out part one of our special live broadcast from the conference in Houston, with insight from Lazard, Chevron New Energies and Endress+Hauser.

Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don’t miss an episode, out every second Friday at 7am ET. Find us on X  – we’re @interchangeshow