Business/economics

Alternative Business Model of CCS Projects Unlocks High-CO2 Fields

This study compares, in a carbon capture and storage (CCS) context, the economics of a traditional business model vs. an alternative business model (a regional CCS hub separately managed by a special-purpose vehicle).

Quadrant map of the business models
Quadrant map of the business models
Source: SPE 214359.

High-CO2 gas fields present a problem to host governments wanting to both ensure security of supply and achieve net-zero aspirations. While carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology holds the promise of technical feasibility to unlock these fields, its commercial success ultimately hinges on the choice of an appropriate business model. This study compares the economics of the traditional business model [i.e., CCS as part of the upstream petroleum operation dedicated to a production sharing contract (PSC)] vs. the alternative business model [i.e., a regional CCS hub separately managed by a special-purpose vehicle (SPV)]. For simplicity, this paper uses the term CCS throughout, although the discussions apply equally well to carbon capture, usage, and storage projects.

Background

Gas Value Chain and the Cost of Gas (COG). With its higher development, transportation, and processing costs; longer and flatter production profile; and needs for network infrastructure, the economics of gas development is often less robust than that of oil.

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