Shell Considering Alberta CCS Expansion to Reduce Refinery, Petrochemical Emissions

Shell Canada Ltd. on Tuesday set a 2023 target for a decision on expanding its Alberta carbon capture and storage (CCS) operation by adding an Edmonton-area oil refinery and petrochemical plant to the network.

The expansion, titled Polaris CCS, would collect 750,000 tons/year of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Shell’s Scotford plants east of the Alberta capital for permanent disposal in a porous geological formation.

“Our plans for Scotford are in line with Shell’s target to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, in step with society,” said Shell Canada country chair Susannah Pierce.

Polaris could cut emissions by up to 40% from the refinery and 30% from its petrochemical plant, Shell estimated.

A proposed second and larger phase could dispose of up...