Perth-based companies deepC Store and Azuli International have been awarded offshore Greenhouse Gas Assessment Permits in the Bonaparte and Browse Basins offshore Australia. The awarded blocks are GHG23-1 and GHG23-2. The GHG23-1 is located in the Bonaparte Basin, in a water depth ranging between 70 metres and 120 metres (230 feet to 394 feet), while the GHG23-2 block, in the Browse Basin, sits in a water depth ranging between 50 metres and 270 metres (164 feet to 886 feet). 

The two companies have simultaneously entered into a Joint Study Agreement for a strategic partnership with Japan-based J-POWER, which plans to become a joint venture participant in the awarded licences, which are said to have the potential to permanently store up to 1 giga (billion) tonne of CO2. The partners have said they intend to develop a full value chain project from liquified CO2 (LCO2) receipt at locations in Japan and Australia as well as surrounding region, with the LCO2 transported by ship to floating storage and injection (FSI) facilities in Australian waters. In related news, Japan's Inpex last month started drilling the West Peron 1 well in its greenhouse gas storage assessment permit G-7-AP in the Bonaparte Basin, offshore Australia. Inpex is using the 400-ft Valaris 247 jackup rig for the operation.

KeyFacts Energy: Carbon Capture news