CO₂ pipelines

CO₂ has been transported safely by pipeline for decades. As of 2023, there were approximately 5,200 miles of pipelines carrying CO₂ in operation in North America. However, to enable the expansion of the use of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), experts anticipate our region will need more than a ten-fold increase in the size of the CO₂ network.

ExxonMobil Pipeline Company is already in the process of building new CO₂ pipelines that will transport captured CO₂ emissions that would have been released into the air to specially designated storage areas where the CO₂ will be permanently stored deep underground.

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 to generate electricity or power manufacturing plants.

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 need 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 reduce the amount of CO₂ these activities produce, or we will have to limit these activities. However, if we capture 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 and storage

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

To help develop their CCS systems, companies that produce CO₂ are working with oil and natural gas companies since they are experts at transporting and storing 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 inject 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 new industry, help sustain jobs in industries that produce CO₂ and help meet climate goals. Learn more about each element of the CCS process.