About the plan
The National CO2 Infrastructure Plan (NCI Plan) was developed to accelerate the identification and development of sites suitable for the long term storage of CO2 in Australia that are within reasonable distances of major energy and industrial CO2 emission sources.
The plan promotes pre-competitive storage exploration and provides a basis for the development of transport and storage infrastructure.
The plan includes four components:
a multi-basin CO2 storage exploration and appraisal program—designed to facilitate long-term CO2 storage hubs through initiatives, such as the CCS Flagships program
the acquisition of additional pre-competitive offshore and onshore CO2 storage data—in basins in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia
a National CO2 Drilling Rig Deployment Strategy—which will maximise the usage and cost efficiencies of drilling rigs for CO2 exploration in Australia
a National CO2 Storage and Transport Infrastructure Assessment—which will investigate future CO2 infrastructure needs and provide the foundations for safe and secure transport, injection, and storage of CO2.
The NCI Plan reflects the advice the Australian Government has received from the Carbon Storage Taskforce and the National CCS Council (formerly, the National Low Emissions Coal Council).
It builds on work funded under the National Low Emissions Coal Initiative and the need for adequate storage to be identified as a priority.
The plan assists the development and deployment of integrated CCS projects in Australia, particularly those projects supported by the Australian Government’s CCS Flagships program and the National Low Emissions Coal Initiative. Geoscience Australia will provide strategic advice in delivering the plan and will lead in the acquisition of pre-competitive data.
Timeline
Work program elements funded under NCI Plan commenced in the second half of 2011–12 and will continue until 2014–15.
Grants and funding
The $60.9 million NCI Plan is funded by the Australian Government. Its creation was announced of the as part of the 2011/12 Budget. State and territory governments play an important role in actively supporting the demonstration and deployment of CCS in Australia.
More information
For more information about the National CO2 Infrastructure plan contact:
Peter van Rens
Manager, Domestic CCS Policy and Legislation
Clean Energy and Environment Division
Phone: (02) 6213 7189
Email: peter.vanrens@ret.gov.au