We hosted the Riviera CO2 Shipping, Terminals & CCS Conference, Americas 2024 in Houston on September 16, bringing together industry leaders and subject matter experts to share ideas and discuss opportunities and challenges related to CO2 terminalling globally. 

Participants discussed a variety of topics related to transportation and storage and the clear buzzword of the conference was “potential” as the speakers and panelists highlighted the need for action to achieve ambitious climate goals. 

The global CCS market

An emerging theme across many discussions was the role of the US in the global CCS market. A particularly enlightening panel discussed possibilities of CO2 imports into the US and explored the emerging trade in green CO2 for e-fuels production and the broader implications for deep-sea CO2 transportation, usage and storage. As these concepts and ideas become projects, panelists stressed the importance of collaboration and cooperation across the value chain. 

Alistair Black (Partner, London) and Utsav Mathur (Partner, Houston) provided an interesting trans-Atlantic perspective, highlighting the need to develop tailored regulations, embrace advanced ship design and enhance port infrastructure in order to support CO2 shipping and transportation. In addition senior associate Lindsey Swiger (Houston) provided lessons learned from and comparisons to the LNG industry and associate Ibrahim Basit (Houston) discussed the unique tax considerations for these types of projects in the United States under the IRA and the BIL.

Lessons learned

We also heard from several industry leaders who brought lessons learned from large-scale infrastructure projects as well as discussions of cutting-edge initiatives and technology. There were interesting discussions related to onboard carbon capture systems and a fascinating presentation on Isenthalpic Expansion Cooling and Liquefaction, an innovative liquefaction process jointly developed by JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corporation, NYK Line and Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers AS. 

The conference highlighted the excitement surrounding CO2 shipping and transportation, while also underscoring the need for thoughtful, coordinated global efforts to bring these projects to life.

Opinion piece written by Lindsey F. Swiger, Senior Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright.