One Question on Energy: What is Carbon Capture?

As the world looks for ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, carbon capture has emerged as a key solution. Natural gas and oil companies have been adopting these efforts for years, with more than sixty projects either already running or in the planning phase.

In this process, carbon dioxide emitted from natural gas and oil operations is collected, processed into a supercritical fluid, which has properties of a gas and liquid. From there it is, transported to a safe location where it is stored deep underground, below rocks to prevent escape. These technologies are helping the industry reduce carbon emissions while continuing to meet energy needs across America.

Here’s a breakdown on how carbon capture and storage technologies work:

Step 1: Carbon dioxide emissions from energy facilities are captured before they enter the atmosphere. Emissions are separated out of the captured gas and processed into a compressed gas for safe transport.

Step 2: Carbon dioxide is transported via pipelines to a safe storage site.

Step 3: The carbon dioxide is injected deep underground into a carefully selected geological formation, where it will remain permanently separated from the atmosphere. In other cases, it can be transported to a manufacturing facility to be used in products.