Construction resumes at $1bn Texan carbon capture facility

The Petra Nova carbon capture project, valued at $1bn and once closed due to low oil prices in 2020, has resumed operations. Owned by JX Nippon, it aims to capture 1.4 million tons of CO2 annually, ranking among the world's largest CCUS endeavours. It initially began in 2016 at a Texas coal-fired plant, paused due to COVID-19-induced oil price drops, and restarted on September 5, 2023. Petra Nova had received a $190m grant from the U.S. Department of Energy but missed its initial CO2 capture target. The captured CO2 is used for enhanced oil recovery, while CCS critics argue it perpetuates fossil fuel reliance. (Reuters)