Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Australia designates offshore site for carbon storage project
Australia has designated an offshore site for carbon storage near its northern coast.
Japan's energy company Inpex plans to pump carbon dioxide into a deep underground saline aquifer about 260 kilometres offshore from Darwin.
The site could hold up to 443 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over 35 years, according to Inpex.
The company says its nearby Ichthys gas facility would be the main customer, and other companies could use the site in future.
Supporters say carbon capture can reduce emissions from industries that are difficult to clean up, while environmental groups warn the project could disturb habitats for threatened and migratory wildlife.
Inpex must complete environmental assessments and obtain other licences before a final decision is made and carbon dioxide injection can begin.
Australia has designated an offshore seabed site near its northern coast for a carbon storage project led by Japanese energy company Inpex.
The site could store up to 443 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over 35 years, according to Inpex.
The project would extend 260 kilometers offshore from Darwin and inject carbon dioxide into a deep saline aquifer called West Peron.
Inpex is conducting environmental impact assessments and must obtain other government licenses before a final decision and carbon dioxide injection.
Supporters say carbon capture can reduce emissions from hard-to-abate industries, while critics warn of harm to wildlife and continued reliance on fossil fuels.
- Who
- Australia designated the site for a project led by Japanese energy company Inpex.
- What
- The site is designated for storing carbon dioxide beneath the seabed.
- When
- AP reported the designation on November 5, 2026. The designation date is not stated.
- Where
- Offshore from Darwin, in the Northern Territory, in the Timor Sea.
- Why
- Supporters say carbon storage can help reduce emissions from hard-to-abate industries.
Project supporters
Project critics
Climate impact
Project supporters
Supporters say carbon capture and storage can help reduce emissions from hard-to-abate industries.
Project critics
Critics say it prolongs the use of heavily polluting fossil fuels and slows emissions cuts.
Environmental impact
Project supporters
Not stated.
Project critics
Critics warn the project could harm critical habitats and endangered wildlife.
AP reported that Australia had designated the offshore seabed site.
Inpex is conducting environmental impact assessments and must obtain other government licenses.
- Storage capacity
- Up to 443 million metric tons of carbon dioxide
- Project operator
- Inpex
- Offshore distance
- 260 kilometers from Darwin
- Storage formation
- West Peron deep saline aquifer
- Planned storage period
- 35 years
What people are saying
Carbon capture and storage will play an important role in reducing emissions from hard-to-abate industries, supporting Australia’s transition to net zero
A lot of it involves dredging, drilling, piling into the ocean