Key Takeaways
- Canada, specifically Alberta, has the right factors to lead in the carbon capture ecosystem, including policy support and a skilled workforce.
- Mantel Capture, a U.S.-based carbon capture startup, has begun an early engineering and design study for a commercial-scale project in Alberta’s oilsands.
- The project aims to capture 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year and harness high-pressure steam to power its system, reducing energy consumption.
- Mantel’s technology can be bolted on to various industrial plants, making it a "value-additive exercise" that can generate revenue while reducing emissions.
- The company envisions carbon capture technology becoming an automatic addition to new industrial plants, similar to existing pollution-reducing equipment.
Introduction to Carbon Capture in Alberta
The chief executive of Mantel Capture, a U.S.-based carbon capture startup, believes that Canada, particularly Alberta, has the necessary factors to lead in the widespread adoption of carbon capture technology. Cameron Halliday, co-founder of Mantel Capture, cites the province’s policy support, skilled workforce, and existing infrastructure as key advantages. Alberta’s oilsands are a prime location for carbon capture projects, with many producers already using steam-assisted gravity drainage techniques to extract bitumen. Mantel Capture has announced an early engineering and design study for a commercial-scale project in Alberta’s oilsands, which aims to capture 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Mantel Capture’s Technology and Project
Mantel Capture’s technology is designed to harness the energy generated by its system, rather than wasting it. The project will produce 150,000 tonnes of high-pressure steam, which can be used in its oilsands partner’s operations. This approach reduces the energy consumption typically associated with carbon capture projects. While the cost of the project is not being disclosed, Mantel Capture is receiving support from Alberta Innovates, a provincial Crown corporation. The company’s modular equipment can be easily integrated into various industrial plants, including cement, steel, and power generation facilities. This versatility makes Mantel Capture’s technology a "value-additive exercise" that can generate revenue while reducing emissions.
Alberta’s Advantages in Carbon Capture
Alberta is considered a "sophisticated" player in the carbon capture space, with the right policy support in place. The province has a price on carbon and offers tax incentives, making it an attractive location for carbon capture projects. Additionally, the province’s skilled workforce, particularly in the oil and gas industry, has transferable skills that can be applied to the carbon capture business. Halliday notes that the equipment and techniques used in the oil and gas industry are familiar to those in the carbon capture sector, making it easier to adapt and implement new technologies. Alberta’s existing infrastructure and expertise also make it an ideal location for large-scale carbon capture projects, such as the proposed Pathways Alliance project.
Pathways Alliance and Industry Development
The Pathways Alliance, a group of Canada’s largest oilsands companies, is proposing to build one of the world’s largest carbon capture projects, with an estimated cost of $16.5 billion. The project would capture carbon dioxide emissions from over 20 oilsands facilities in northern Alberta and transport them to a terminal in eastern Alberta for storage. While Mantel Capture is not involved in the Pathways Alliance, Halliday is supportive of the project, citing the importance of infrastructure development in facilitating the growth of the carbon capture industry. He envisions a future where carbon capture technology becomes an automatic addition to new industrial plants, similar to existing pollution-reducing equipment.
Future of Carbon Capture
Halliday believes that carbon capture technology can become a standard feature in industrial plants, much like equipment used to remove sulphur dioxide and other pollutants from flue gases. He sees a future where carbon capture is no longer a niche technology, but rather a ubiquitous part of industrial operations. To achieve this, the industry must continue to develop and deploy efficient, cost-effective technologies that can be easily integrated into existing infrastructure. With the right policy support, skilled workforce, and infrastructure in place, Alberta is well-positioned to lead the way in the widespread adoption of carbon capture technology. As the industry continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more companies like Mantel Capture developing innovative solutions to reduce emissions and promote sustainable development.
