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Press Release

This $100 BILLION Industry Is Hiding in Plain Sight! Big Oil's Bet on Carbon Capture

Published by Todd Bush on February 28, 2025

Recording from our Live Pod in Houston with Todd Sage, creator of decarbonfuse

šŸš€Ā We’re back with another special episode of the CleanTechies Podcast—recorded live in Houston!

In this issue:

  • Todd’s background and what he’s working on today (the deal tracker of carbon capture projects)
  • What it takes to successfully develop a carbon capture project (all the parts)
  • Why oil & gas is taking a continued interest in carbon capture
  • Why he thinks the 45Q tax credit is here to stay even under Trump

Listen Time: Full Show 57:38 (unless you listen sped upĀ šŸ˜‰)

This week, we’re joined byĀ Todd Bush, an expert inĀ carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), with decades of experience supporting oil and gas companies in their decarbonization efforts. Todd has founded and sold multiple companies and is now leadingĀ decarbonfuse, a daily newsletter tracking deal activity in carbon capture and industrial decarbonization.

This conversation covers theĀ current state of carbon capture, where theĀ momentum is strongest, theĀ biggest barriers to scalingĀ CCUS, and howĀ policy and investment shifts are shaping the industry. If you’re curious about where the carbon capture market is headed and how it intersects with industries like ethanol, hydrogen, and steel production, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

šŸ” Topics Covered in This Episode

  • TheĀ first moversĀ in carbon capture: ethanol, ammonia, and natural gas
  • The difference betweenĀ Class 2 vs. Class 6 wellsĀ and why it matters
  • HowĀ carbon capture projects get financedĀ and what returns investors expect
  • The role of policyĀ (45Q tax credits, permitting hurdles, and regulatory uncertainty)
  • Utilization of CO2—who’s buying it and why
  • WhyĀ Houston and the Gulf CoastĀ are primed to be the epicenter of CCUS
  • What’s needed forĀ carbon capture to reach private equity scale

šŸŽ™ Guest: Todd Bush

Todd is a veteran in theĀ energy and industrial decarbonizationĀ space, having built and exited multiple companies in energy analytics and decarbonization tracking. His current venture,Ā Decarbon Fuse, provides real-time deal tracking for the carbon capture industry. He brings deep insights intoĀ how CCUS projects are developing, the hurdles they face, and where the biggest opportunities lie.

šŸ“ Show Notes & Links

  • šŸ”—Ā decarbonfuse Newsletter – Visit Here
  • šŸ”—Ā Energy Tech Nexus & Digital Wildcatters – Visit Here
  • šŸ”—Ā PRIMER: 45Q TAX CREDIT FOR CARBON CAPTURE PROJECTS – Read More
  • šŸ”—Ā More on Class 6 vs. Class 2 Wells – EPA Guide

>> In Other News: MODEC Enters Into Offshore Carbon Capture FEED Contract with SAMSUNG E&A, Deploying Carbon Clean’s CycloneCC Technology

Timestamps:

  • 0:00 Introduction to Carbon Capture
  • 3:50 The Journey into Carbon Capture Solutions
  • 6:55 Decarbonization Trends and Industry Perspectives
  • 10:01 Carbon Capture Technologies and Their Applications
  • 12:54 Regulatory Frameworks and Project Development
  • 15:55 Community Engagement and Project Success Factors
  • 19:41 Momentum in Carbon Capture and Community Engagement
  • 22:57 Technological Bottlenecks and Adoption Rates
  • 27:25 Talent Pool and Industry Transition
  • 32:03 Regulatory Landscape and Future Outlook
  • 40:14 Infrastructure and Project Viability
  • 40:58 Carbon Utilization and Demand Areas
  • 42:26 Scaling Carbon Projects
  • 43:27 Challenges in CO2 Storage and Utilization
  • 45:17 Gulf of Mexico Assets and Storage Solutions
  • 46:37 Monitoring and Materials in CO2 Projects
  • 47:37 Cost Structures and Financial Viability
  • 51:32 Point Source Collection and Future Utilization
  • 52:53 Tax Credits and Financial Incentives
  • 54:47 Impact of Global Conflicts on Clean Energy Investment

šŸ’” Favorite Quote from the Episode

"The real challenge isn’t just capturing CO2—it’s securing long-term agreements, navigating permitting, and building the financial case. The projects that solve for those will be the ones that scale." – Todd Bush

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