Sinopec Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) has joined forces with Kazakh organizations and entities to advance CO₂ capture technologies through an international initiative aimed at strengthening technical cooperation and expanding the development of CCUS solutions. The proposal was presented at the CCUS 2026 International Technology Conference, held on September 1-2 in Astana, its objective is to strengthen technical cooperation, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and promote standards that will enable the wider application of these technologies.
Sinopec strengthens international cooperation in CCUS
Sinopec is participating in this initiative along with the International Cooperation Organisation for Technological Innovation in CCUS (ICTO), the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, and the Institute of New Materials and Energy Technologies at Nazarbayev University. The proposal aims to connect industrial experience with scientific research and the development of low-carbon energy solutions, it also calls for greater international coordination to improve technologies, technical standards, and implementation models related to carbon capture CO₂.
The conference brought together over 230 representatives from dozens of countries and regions, including members of governments, businesses, and international organizations from China, Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. Sessions addressed topics such as geological storage, CO₂ mineralization, and the development of CCUS centers or clusters, participants also discussed business models, public policies, and partnerships that could facilitate the implementation of new projects.
China expands its infrastructure for CO₂ capture and transport
Sinopec has also developed infrastructure that allows these technologies to move from the experimental stage to larger-scale operations, the company built China’s first 100-kilometer dense-phase CO₂ pipeline, an infrastructure that allows carbon dioxide to be transported under conditions designed to handle large volumes continuously.
This infrastructure is complemented by the operation of the country’s first integrated CCUS demonstration project, with an annual capacity of one million metric tons, these developments cover various stages of the carbon chain, from capture at industrial sources and transport to enhanced oil recovery and permanent storage.
Sinopec is studying a 10 million ton CCUS cluster
Sinopec is also working with Shell, BASF, and China Baowu on a study to develop first open-access CCUS cluster. The project is analyzing a potential capacity of 10 million metric tons of CO₂. Such an infrastructure would allow multiple industrial facilities to share transport and storage systems instead of developing separate networks.
This shared-center model is among the alternatives the industry is studying to reduce the costs associated with deploying carbon capture and storage systems. In parallel, Sinopec is preparing another demonstration project at the Shengli oil field. The facility would have a capacity of one million metric tons and would focus on CO₂ sources with lower concentrations.
With this combination of projects, the company seeks to evaluate solutions adapted to different industrial conditions and gas compositions.
ICTO connects companies and researchers from more than 20 countries
International cooperation is also supported by ICTO, an organization established in July 2025 with 60 founding members. The network brings together companies, research institutions, and experts from more than 20 countries and regions. Its work focuses on connecting technical knowledge, operational experience, and applied research around CCUS technologies.
During the meeting, Tian Hongbin, Vice President of the Group Sinopec he noted that carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) has become an important technology for addressing emissions reduction. Sinopec plans to continue collaborating with ICTO and its members to link engineering projects with international research, the goal is to advance CO₂ capture and geological storage technologies while expanding technical cooperation between countries.
Source: Pepiline & Journal Gas
Photo: Shutterstock
