Regional CCS: INPEX teams up with Chubu Electric to strengthen Japan-Australia CO2 storage value chain

By Romel S. Gurky

INPEX Corporation announced on Friday that it has signed a new agreement with Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. to expand their joint study on the feasibility of establishing a carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain between Japan and Australia. The agreement builds upon positive preliminary findings from the initial joint study announced in October 2024, which focused on CO2 separation, capture, and transportation.

Under the terms of the new agreement, INPEX and Chubu Electric will continue their work to optimize key elements of the CCS value chain, particularly the transportation of CO2 from Japan’s Port of Nagoya to Australia for storage. The study will address methods for loading CO2 in Japan, shipping, and receiving it in Australia, as well as evaluating the legal and regulatory landscapes in both countries. These elements are crucial for determining the timeline and framework necessary to support a successful CCS infrastructure.

This announcement was made during the third Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) ministerial meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and highlights ongoing collaboration between companies in the region to support carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions goals.

Read also: INPEX eyes Abadi project as future CCS hub

INPEX, a key player in several CCS projects, is also involved in the Bonaparte CCS Project in northern Australia. The company is working with partners TotalEnergies CCS Australia Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy Ltd. to develop the project, with plans for the first CO2 injection expected around 2030. The Bonaparte CCS Project, which is set to capture over 10 million tonnes of CO2 per year, was granted Major Project Status by the Australian Federal Government in July 2025.

INPEX’s commitment to CCS is part of its Vision 2035, which aims to achieve a responsible energy transition. The company is focused on providing lower-carbon solutions centered around CCS and hydrogen, and is pursuing opportunities to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while also offering CCS and hydrogen-based solutions to third parties.

The company’s commitment to sustainable development was further demonstrated in September 2025, when INPEX signed a strategic agreement with the Northern Territory Government of Australia to advance a carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) hub in Darwin, in alignment with Australia’s vision for a net-zero society by 2050.

Editing by Alexander Ginting