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Shell Canada Products, a subsidiary of Shell plc, has announced the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Polaris carbon capture project at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park in Scotford, Alberta, Canada. Polaris is designed to capture approximately 650,000 tonnes of CO2 annually from the Shell-owned Scotford refinery and chemicals complex. This marks a significant step in Shell's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and advancing carbon capture technology.
Introduction of Atlas Carbon Storage Hub
Alongside the Polaris FID, Shell has also announced the FID for the Atlas Carbon Storage Hub, a partnership with ATCO EnPower. The Atlas project will provide permanent underground storage for CO2 captured by the Polaris project. The first phase of Atlas is crucial for ensuring the long-term storage and management of the captured carbon dioxide, supporting Shell's broader climate goals.
Significance of Carbon Capture and Storage
Huibert Vigeveno, Shell’s Downstream, Renewable and Energy Solutions Director, emphasized the importance of these projects in meeting global climate targets. "Carbon capture and storage is a key technology to achieve the Paris Agreement climate goals,” Vigeveno stated. “The Polaris and Atlas projects are important steps in reducing emissions from our own operations.” These initiatives underscore Shell's commitment to leveraging innovative technologies to reduce emissions and combat climate change.
Building on Past Success
The Polaris and Atlas projects will build on the success of the Quest carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility at Scotford. Since its inception in 2015, Quest has safely captured and stored more than nine million tonnes of CO2 that would have otherwise been released into the atmosphere. The proven success of Quest provides a solid foundation for the new projects, demonstrating the viability and effectiveness of carbon capture and storage technologies.
Timeline and Future Operations
Both the Polaris and Atlas projects are expected to begin operations towards the end of 2028. The projects represent a significant investment in the future of carbon capture and storage, with the potential to substantially reduce CO2 emissions from Shell's operations. The long-term goal is to expand these technologies and their applications, contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change.
