TotalEnergies is Allocating R$ 900 Million for a Broad Investment in CCS Research in Brazil, Boosting Studies on Offshore CO₂ Storage and Advancing the Country's Energy Transition.

TotalEnergies is allocating R$ 900 million for a broad investment in CCS research in Brazil, boosting studies on offshore CO₂ storage and advancing the country's energy transition.

TotalEnergies confirmed the allocation of R $ million 900 for an advanced study of CCS research (carbon capture and storage) in Brazil, carried out in partnership with the geology laboratory of UFRJ. The objective is to evaluate the potential of offshore CO₂ storage in saline reservoirs, using resources foreseen in the ANP's R&D clause. The project marks a significant step in the national decarbonization agenda and reinforces the global strategy of energy transition from the company.

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The importance of TotalEnergies' investment for the advancement of CCS in Brazil.This initiative comes at a time of broad regulatory discussion in the country, with the Ministry of Mines and Energy structuring the legal framework for CCS/CCUS and BECCS. The study will allow mapping areas with greater potential for permanent storage, as well as consolidating geological data that will support future commercial projects.

The investment is considered strategic because it addresses three essential pillars of the energy transition: science, technology, and regulation. The investment of R$ 900 million in specialized research demonstrates the company's long-term commitment to low-carbon solutions.

Furthermore, the use of the ANP's R&D clause ensures that the investment follows standards already established in exploration and production contracts. This strengthens the credibility of the study and reduces technical risks, allowing the sector to advance in a more structured way.

TotalEnergies estimates the potential for over 10 million tons of CO₂ to be stored per year by 2030. It helps position Brazil on an accelerated path to meet climate goals and expand mitigation solutions.

Another relevant point is the synergy with regulatory advancements. The federal government is working on the complete regulation of the capture, transport, and storage stages, a process considered essential for the viability of future large-scale projects.

Current scenario in Brazil for carbon capture and carbon technologies.Brazil has above-average potential globally for the adoption of CCS technologies. According to IBP and CCS Brasil (2023), Brazil could achieve approximately 190 million tons of CO₂ captured per year, considering both industrial and energy sectors.

The geological formation of the Brazilian continental margin, with large salt domes and deep sedimentary layers, offers favorable conditions for offshore CO₂ storage, one of the methods considered the safest and most efficient.

However, even with this potential, the implementation of the technology still faces significant obstacles. Among them are:

• high infrastructure costs;
  
• The need for legal and regulatory certainty;
  
• gaps in detailed geological studies;
  
• absence of a regulated carbon market;
  
• challenges of long-term monitoring and verification.
  

The study funded by TotalEnergies helps to overcome some of these barriers, mainly by expanding scientific data and reducing uncertainties.

TotalEnergies has been operating in Brazil for several decades and has been expanding its investments in clean energy and innovation. The company maintains research centers in partnership with USP, UFRJ, and Unicamp, where renewable energy, efficiency, and decarbonization projects are developed.

With this new project, the company reinforces its global strategy: combining its oil and gas portfolio with low-carbon technological initiatives. CCS studies are integrated with other areas such as solar energy, hydrogen, biogas, and advanced storage.

The company has sought to balance energy supply with emissions reduction targets, aligning itself with international commitments and sustainability demands.

How will TotalEnergies' CCS research be conducted in Brazil?The study coordinated by UFRJ will follow strict scientific guidelines and be evaluated by ANP. The planned steps include:

• Collection of geological, geophysical, and petrophysical data., necessary to characterize deep saline reservoirs.
  
• Volumetric capacity modeling of the reservoirs, ensuring that they are suitable for long-term storage.
  
• Geological risk assessment, including rock integrity, sealing and structural stability.
  
• Analysis of CO₂ transport logistics, whether through existing pipelines or new maritime routes.
  
• Mapping of priority areas for potential future deployment, considering safety, depth, pressure, and geological characteristics.
  
• Alignment with the new regulations, ensuring compliance with rules being established by the federal government.
  

This research phase is crucial because it provides technical evidence that can enable large-scale projects in the future, both for TotalEnergies itself and for other companies in the energy and industrial sectors.

Expected environmental and climate impacts of offshore CO₂ storage.The offshore CO₂ storage It is considered one of the most effective solutions for reducing industrial emissions in the short and medium term. Based on what has been disclosed, the main positive effects include:

• Significant reduction in CO₂ emissions associated with energy operations, refining, and high-intensity industrial sectors;
  
• Supporting climate neutrality goals by enabling mitigation in sectors that cannot immediately replace fossil fuels;
  
• Future possibilities for projects carbon negative, if the technology is combined with bioenergy or direct air capture;
  
• Strengthening environmental security, since saline reservoirs offer excellent natural sealing due to their geological structure.
  

This type of storage is successfully used in other countries with similar formations, such as Norway and the United Kingdom.

Economic and technological impacts for BrazilIn addition to the environmental benefits, the advancement of CCS research This represents a strategic gain for the Brazilian economy. The initiative tends to stimulate:

• Training a skilled workforce in geosciences, engineering, and decarbonization technologies;
  
• Attracting new investments focused on the low-carbon sector;
  
• expansion of national infrastructure related to CO₂ capture and transport;
  
• Strengthening scientific innovation with the participation of universities and research centers;
  
• International competitiveness, especially for companies that need to reduce emissions to access more demanding global markets.
  

Brazil can also become a Latin American leader in CCS solutions, leveraging its geological potential and offshore experience.

Future challenges and next steps for CCS in BrazilDespite the progress made possible by TotalEnergies' investment, considerable challenges remain in consolidating CCS in the country. The main ones are related to:

• Complete development of the regulatory framework, essential for guiding responsibilities and defining technical standards;
  
• The need for additional investments to create dedicated transport routes and infrastructure;
  
• Defining incentive policies and carbon market mechanisms that make CCS economically viable;
  
• Social acceptance and the need for transparent communication regarding safety and monitoring;
  
• Integration with broader energy transition goals, ensuring a balance between fossil fuel use and the expansion of renewables.
  

The current study should produce fundamental data that will help guide these decisions.

Strategic relevance for Brazil's energy future.

TotalEnergies' R$900 million investment marks a decisive moment for the development of energy capture and energy harvesting technologies. offshore CO₂ storage in the country. It establishes a solid foundation for Brazil to move forward in a safe and structured manner, keeping pace with international trends and expanding its participation in decarbonization solutions.

By combining science, regulation, innovation, and cooperation between universities and industry, the study strengthens the country's position in... energy transition and broadens the prospects for adopting technologies that will contribute to a future with fewer emissions and greater environmental responsibility.