Northern Territory, Vopak sign MoU for CO2 import terminal development

The Northern Territory (NT) government and Vopak have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop common-user infrastructure, including a CO2 import terminal in the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, the government announced on August 5.

The MoU outlines how the government and Vopak will cooperate to advance the development of common-user CO2 import, storage, and handling infrastructure in Darwin.

"This project contributes to the NT's goal of a A$40bn ($26bn) economy by 2030 and our transition to net zero by 2050," said Eva Lawler, chief minister of NT.

The CO2 import, storage, and handling infrastructure will be designed to manage the import, storage, and distribution of CO2. The facility can be used by various companies to help manage CO2 emissions. The imported CO2 can come from different sources, such as industrial plants that capture CO2 to prevent it from being released into the atmosphere. Additionally, CO2 from neighbouring countries can be handled.

Once the CO2 is imported, it needs to be stored safely in large tanks before being transferred to a permanent destination, such as underground facilities for carbon capture and storage (CCS) or for recycling and utilisation (CCUS).