Shell Canada, a subsidiary of Shell plc, has officially announced the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Polaris carbon capture project at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park in Scotford, Alberta. This innovative project is set to capture approximately 650,000 tonnes of CO2 annually from Shell’s Scotford refinery and chemicals complex, marking a significant step forward in the company’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
Dual Projects to Enhance Carbon Storage Capacity
In tandem with Polaris, Shell has also approved the FID for the Atlas Carbon Storage Hub, a joint venture with ATCO EnPower. The first phase of Atlas will provide permanent underground storage for the CO2 captured by the Polaris project, enhancing the overall effectiveness of Shell’s carbon management strategy.
“Carbon capture and storage is a key technology to achieve the Paris Agreement climate goals,” emphasized Huibert Vigeveno, Shell’s Downstream, Renewable and Energy Solutions Director. “The Polaris and Atlas projects are important steps in reducing emissions from our own operations.”
Building on Proven Success
These new initiatives are poised to build on the success of the Quest carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility at Scotford. Since its launch in 2015, Quest has successfully captured and stored over nine million tonnes of CO2 that would otherwise have been emitted into the atmosphere. Polaris and Atlas are expected to further this legacy by significantly increasing Shell’s carbon capture capacity.
Project Specifications and Impact
- Polaris Project: Fully owned by Shell, Polaris aims to reduce Scope 1 CO2 emissions at Shell’s Scotford refinery by up to 40%, and by up to 22% at the chemicals complex.
- Atlas Carbon Storage Hub: This project is a 50/50 partnership with ATCO EnPower, with the first phase focusing on the storage of CO2 from Polaris. Future phases may include storage for other partners and third parties, pending further investment decisions.
- Pipeline and Storage Details: CO2 captured by Polaris will be transported via a 22-kilometre pipeline to the Atlas Hub. The CO2 will be stored approximately two kilometers underground in the Basal Cambrian Sands formation, a site also used for CO2 storage by the Quest facility.
- Operational Timeline: Both projects are slated to begin operations towards the end of 2028.
Shell’s Broader Low-Carbon Commitment
These projects align with Shell’s broader commitment to invest $10-$15 billion from 2023 to 2025 in low-carbon energy solutions. This investment encompasses e-mobility, low-carbon fuels, renewable power generation, hydrogen, and carbon capture and storage, positioning Shell as a leader in the energy transition.
The Role of Carbon Capture in Canada
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is increasingly critical for Canada’s climate strategy. The country’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions includes significant investment in CCS technologies. Initiatives like Polaris and Atlas are essential for capturing industrial emissions that are difficult to eliminate through other means, ensuring Canada meets its climate targets.
Global and National Context
In related developments, Equatic, a leader in carbon removal, has partnered with Canadian carbon removal project developer Deep Sky to engineer North America’s first commercial-scale ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) plant. This facility aims to eliminate 109,500 tonnes of CO2 annually while producing 3,600 tonnes of green hydrogen, marking a significant advancement in ocean-based carbon removal technology.
Moreover, a groundbreaking study has created the most detailed map to date of predicted carbon stocks in Canada’s seafloor sediments. This map is vital for future seabed management and climate mitigation policies, covering 78.4% of Canada’s marine area through a machine learning predictive mapping process.