Shell Trinidad and Tobago Limited (Shell) is pleased to announce that it has signed a research study contract with the local universities to explore Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Atlas mapping in Trinidad and Tobago. Shell will be collaborating with The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) on this enterprise which is the first of its kind locally and in the Caribbean.

CCUS is an integral part of Shell’s global Powering Progress strategy which is aimed at becoming a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050 or sooner. The company believes that CCUS can be a key option for the transition to a lower-carbon energy system.

The Atlas study seeks to map onshore and offshore potential subsurface fields that can be used to capture and store carbon dioxide and will assess the feasibility of using CCS as a solution to contribute to the reduction of Trinidad and Tobago’s carbon emissions. Shell is also providing technical support and access to reservoir data to the data scientists at the Universities for the purpose of the project.

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for Shell and its partners The UWI and UTT to contribute to the energy transition in Trinidad and Tobago” said Suhail Kak, GM Development and Subsurface, Shell T&T. “We are truly energized by this project and its potential for reducing carbon emissions for the country, and our business.”

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI St. Augustine Campus, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, said that “The UWI is grateful to Shell’s support in this CCS project since it represents a significant step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Trinidad and Tobago and in the meeting of this country’s global commitments in that regard. Given our own commitment to address climate change, this is a laudable objective. We are pleased to be partnering with a responsible oil and gas partner in this endeavour.”

She further pointed out that “a Carbon Capture and Storage project of this nature is a first for the Caribbean region and, with Shell’s support, will certainly enhance capacity building in Carbon Capture and Storage technology at The UWI”.

“The development of this National Storage Atlas for Trinidad and Tobago is a critical activity geared towards our country’s greenhouse gas emission reduction and the partnership with Shell will play a key role in achieving this.”, said David Alexander, Associate Professor and Project Lead, UTT.