Australia and Japan are set to discuss new opportunities to use carbon capture and storage (CCS) to reduce emissions from liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, with both countries framing the initiative as part of their shared commitment to net-zero targets.
The discussions will take place today at an event under the Australia Pavilion, where government and industry representatives are expected to examine the commercial, technical and regulatory steps needed to advance CCS in LNG supply chains.
Australia’s geological storage potential, including projects such as CarbonNet in the Gippsland Basin, is expected to be highlighted as a key strength, while Japan is bringing expertise in energy demand, regulation and technology.
Jane Burton, Executive Director of CarbonNet, is slated to share her experience developing storage solutions in Victoria and working with Japanese partners.
CSIRO Research Director Dr Damian Barrett is expected to outline geoscience and engineering contributions, particularly in underground energy storage and natural gas emissions.
Santos Executive Vice President Sean Pitt is due to speak about the commercial challenges of scaling up CCS in LNG, while Carmela Pavlic Searle, Director of Energy Diversification in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is expected to highlight the importance of international agreements to allow cross-border CO2 transport and storage.
From Japan’s Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Deputy Directors Sakura Murahashi and Yuki Nakagawa are expected to discuss the regulatory and international dimensions of resource development and energy transition.
The event is intended to build pathways for investment, harmonise regulations across borders and develop monitoring standards to ensure CCS can be deployed safely and effectively.
Officials said the partnership is aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of LNG exports between the two countries and demonstrating a model that could be applied more widely.
Participants are expected to emphasise that rapid deployment of CCS is critical to meeting emissions reduction goals while maintaining LNG as part of the global energy mix.
