CO₂ pipelines

CO₂ has been transported safely by pipeline for decades. There are approximately 5,200 miles of pipelines carrying CO₂ in operation in North America. However, to enable the expansion of the use of Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS), experts anticipate our region will need a significant increase in the size of the CO₂ network.

ExxonMobil Pipeline Company is supporting ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions' CCUS projects by helping build new pipeline segments connecting its existing CO₂ pipelines to additional storage sites. With decades of experience operating underground storage sites for various energy products, ExxonMobil Pipeline Company also will safely operate and monitor the subsurface CO₂ storage sites once they start operations.

Building new CO₂ pipelines will lead to long-term benefits for our environment and local communities, our energy industry and our nation.

About carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a colorless, odorless gas and is everywhere. Humans exhale it. Plants live on it. It gives soft drinks their fizz. In addition to it being a naturally occurring gas, it is also created when we burn oil or natural gas as part of the manufacturing process or to generate electricity.

CO₂ plays an important role in the atmosphere. It helps trap the sun’s heat, warming our planet and protecting it from the frigid temperatures of outer space. However, too much CO₂ in the atmosphere traps too much heat and risks raising the earth’s temperature.

Many things we do and use produce CO₂ including cars, planes, agricultural equipment, and the manufacturing of countless daily essentials and building materials such as steel and concrete. Unfortunately, as the world works to limit the level of CO₂ in the atmosphere, we will either need to limit these activities or reduce the amount of CO₂ these activities produce. If we can capture the CO₂ at the manufacturing site before it is released to the atmosphere, we can continue to benefit from activities and products that produce CO₂, while meeting climate goals.

Carbon capture, utilization and storage

Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage, or CCUS, is a process that will allow industries that emit carbon dioxide (CO₂) to both maintain operations and reduce CO₂ emissions. First, it uses special equipment to remove the CO₂ from their facilities’ exhaust before it reaches the air. Once captured, the CO₂ can either be provided to companies for other uses or transported by pipeline to an underground storage area for safe and permanent storage. The same type of impermeable rock layers that have kept oil, natural gas and naturally occurring CO₂ locked underground for millions of years can safely store CO₂.

To help develop their CCUS systems, companies that produce CO₂ are working with oil and natural gas companies since they are experts at transporting and storing liquids and gases. These systems will require building carbon capture equipment at the source, pipelines to carry the captured carbon away from the source and wells to bury the CO₂ safely and permanently underground.

Benefits of CCS

CO₂ pipelines videos

Breaking down the process

Capturing, transporting and safely storing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions is a proven process that will create a new industry and help sustain jobs in industries that produce CO₂. Learn more about each element of the CCUS process.