Italy's First Carbon Capture Project: A Breakthrough for Industrial Emissions

Eni and Snam have initiated Italy's inaugural carbon capture, transport, and storage (CCS) project to reduce CO2 emissions from heavy polluting industries. The initiative, located in Ravenna, stores captured CO2 underground in a depleted gas field and aims to decarbonize energy-intensive industries. The project is expected to store up to 4 million tons of CO2 annually by 2030.

Eni and Snam have initiated Italy's first carbon capture, transport, and storage (CCS) project to curb CO2 emissions from heavy industries, they announced on Tuesday. The CCS technology captures CO2 produced by industrial activities or directly at the emission source, and stores it underground.

The companies have begun injecting CO2 into a depleted gas field located in the Adriatic Sea near Ravenna, an initiative proposed last year. Initially, the project will capture and store approximately 25,000 metric tons of CO2 annually from Eni's natural gas treatment plant in Ravenna.

The captured CO2 is transported via converted gas pipelines to an offshore platform and injected at a depth of 3,000 meters in an old gas reservoir. Powered by renewable electricity, the project has already reduced CO2 emissions from the Eni plant's chimney by over 90%, with peaks reaching 96%.

According to the International Energy Agency, CCS technology could be crucial for global climate goals. However, critics question its potential to prolong fossil fuel use and its economic viability.

Eni noted high customer interest in the project. "We are leveraging our depleted fields, existing infrastructure, and re-injection expertise to deliver a competitive service," stated CEO Claudio Descalzi.

The Ravenna project aims to become a central hub for decarbonizing energy-intensive industries like ceramics, glass, and steel in Italy and Europe. It plans to store up to 4 million tons of CO2 annually by 2030.

(With inputs from agencies.)