Mitigating Emissions from Acid Gas Fields Monetization: CCS Source-to-Sink Analysis in Southeast Asia

Summary The energy transition in Southeast Asia is challenged by the need to balance energy security, affordability, and environmental sustainability. Natural gas, considered a transitional fuel, is expected to play a key role in achieving net zero emissions. However, the extraction from high-acid gas fields is projected to increase greenhouse gas emissions from the region’s upstream production, reaching 128 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent by 2050, primarily due to reservoir CO2 venting. To address this, integrating Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) into development plans is crucial. This study focuses on matching CO2 venting emissions with geological CO2 storage potential in Southeast Asia, examining depleted and depleting fields, and dry structures. The methodology involves a source-to-sink analysis of CO2 emissions from upstream projects expected between 2025–2050, using data from Vantage®. Geological storage candidates are evaluated based on capacity, injectivity, and containment. The study identifies potential CO2 storage sites and hubs within a 275 km radius and highlights the need for additional storage capacity from saline aquifers. Despite the region’s storage potential exceeding expected emissions, some projects cannot be matched with existing storage options, necessitating further assessment of saline aquifers for effective emissions abatement.