Research organisation CO2CRC is trialling a new carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology at its Otway International Test Centre (OITC), where tiny CO₂ bubbles suspended in water are used to make more efficient and cheaper underground carbon storage.
The test is being carried out in a ‘sub-optimal’ reservoir, a less-than-perfect site that would be overlooked for CO₂ storage. If microbubbles could work in these conditions, the technology could prove effective in other sites around the world.
Microbubbles are less buoyant and dissolve more rapidly than conventional CO₂ gas, making them better in carbon capture and storage applications. The microbubble approach accelerates the trapping mechanism for CO₂, enhances storage and reduces costs.
Up to 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ will be injected during this trial from early January to mid-March 2026, matching a previous experiment.
The 10,000 tonnes of gas will be produced from the CO2CRC Buttress-1 well at the OITC. This allows researchers to make a direct comparison of how well microbubbles improve CO₂ dispersion, dissolution and long-term stability underground.
If the pilot proves successful, the process could shift the standard for global carbon storage. Microbubble injection may allow CO₂ to be stored safely in reservoirs that were deemed unsuitable before.
The process will also bring down transportation costs and make the entire process more viable for industries under pressure to decarbonise.
CO2CRC has obtained all regulatory approvals for its research operation and has implemented an extensive Environment Monitoring Program for the proposed operation, including seismic imaging, pressure sensors, advanced logging techniques, and surface environment monitoring.
