The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) has allocated $6 million to a project focused on transporting carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial and power generation sites to offshore geologic storage in Texas. The selected initiative aims to develop a modular transportation network connecting CO2 sources near the Port of Corpus Christi to permanent storage locations in state waters.
In a parallel announcement, the DOE revealed plans to provide up to $48 million under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s fourth round of funding for regional CO2 transport networks. These networks will link CO2 sources to geologic storage facilities or facilities converting CO2 into value-added products, contributing to a large-scale carbon management industry.
Expanding Carbon Management Infrastructure
The selected project will carry out a front-end engineering and design (FEED) study to assess the feasibility of a regional CO2 transportation network. This network will connect multiple industrial facilities to offshore storage sites at Mustang Island and Port Aransas North in Texas waters. The initiative builds on prior site characterization and pre-FEED studies, marking a significant step toward the deployment of reliable CO2 transport infrastructure.
Brad Crabtree, Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, emphasized the importance of expanding CO2 transport systems. “By investing in engineering and design studies, we are helping to ensure a safe, reliable CO2 transport system to support a clean and secure energy and industrial economy,” he stated.
To meet the goal of a net-zero emissions economy by mid-century, the U.S. may need to capture and store up to 1,800 million metric tons of CO2 annually. A robust CO2 transport network will be critical to connecting emission sources with storage and conversion sites.
New Funding Opportunity for Carbon Transport Projects
The DOE’s newly announced funding opportunity makes $48 million available for FEED studies of regional CO2 transport networks. These studies will explore various transport modes, including pipelines, rail, trucks, barges, and ships, to enhance connectivity between CO2 sources and storage or conversion facilities. Applications for the funding, managed by the DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), are open until February 12, 2025.
Commitment to Carbon Storage Innovation
Since January 2021, FECM has invested approximately $1.4 billion in carbon transport and storage technology. This includes $17 million under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for six regional FEED studies announced earlier. These efforts aim to drive innovation, create high-wage jobs, and support economic growth while advancing the clean energy transition.
