Aramco, Linde, and SLB join forces to launch major CCS hub in Saudi Arabia

Energy and chemicals company Aramco, industrial gas giant Linde, and technology company SLB have joined forces to develop what they envision as one of the world’s largest carbon capture and storage (CCS) hubs in Saudi Arabia.

Unveiled today (4^th Dec), the first phase of the project in Jubail hopes to capture and store up to nine million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually from three Aramco gas plants, among other industry sources.

The captured CO2 will be transported through a pipeline network and stored below ground in a saline aquifer sink, utiising the Kingdom’s geological CO2 storage.

Aramco will hold a 60% stake in the project, with Linde and SLB each holding a 10% stake. The trio hope to have the hub operational by the end of 2027.

Ashraf Al Ghazzawi, Executive Vice-President of Strategy and Corporate Development at Aramco, said the news represents a step forward in the company’s strategy to contribute to global management solutions.

“This CCS hub is among several programmes that will enable us to meet rising demand for affordable, reliable, and more sustainable energy.”

For Aramco, the project will support the company’s ambition to achieve Net Zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions across its wholly owned operated assets by 2050.

Saudi Arabia has several policies in place that look at emissions reduction. One example is the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI), which was launched in 2021 and hopes to reduce CO2 emissions by 278 million tonnes annually by 2030.

News of the partnership comes at the same time as the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre (KAPSARC) and Climeworks have joined forces to advance direct air capture (DAC) technologies in Saudi Arabia.

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Oliver Pfann, Executive Vice-President of EMEA at Linde, recognised CCS as being essential for achieving the Kingdom’s emission reduction targets.