Idemitsu Kosan, Hokkaido Electric Power, and JAPEX begin joint study to implement CCUS in Hokkaido/Tomakomai area

Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Shunichi Shunichi Kito), Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc. (Head office: Sapporo City, Hokkaido; President and CEO: Yutaka Fujii), and Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. (JAPEX; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Masahiro Fujita) (collectively referred to as the "Three Companies") have begun a joint study (hereinafter referred to as the "Joint Study") to realize CCUS (Carbon dioxide Capture, Utilization, and Storage) in the Tomakomai area of Hokkaido, taking advantage of the business bases and strengths of the three companies.

Following the government's 2050 Carbon Neutrality Declaration in October 2020, the movement toward a decarbonized society is accelerating. In March 2020, Hokkaido announced its goal of becoming a "Zero Carbon Hokkaido," aiming to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and is actively promoting initiatives. At the same time that there is a need for energy that does not emit or has low CO2 emissions, CCUS, which effectively utilizes CO2 in addition to storing it underground, is expected to be put into practical use as a technology that will contribute to achieving net zero CO2. . In addition, public-private discussions are progressing at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's ``CCS Long-Term Roadmap Study Group'' regarding issues such as the development of domestic laws for the implementation of CCUS.

The Tomakomai area is home to a variety of industries, including the business bases of three companies, concentrated around the port. This is a region where efforts toward neutrality are leading the way.

In the future, with a view to launching a hub and cluster type CCUS project ^* that connects multiple points in the Tomakomai area by 2030, we will seek the understanding and cooperation of local governments and local residents to improve CO2 emission points. We will proceed with specific investigations and studies, focusing on technical studies related to CO2 capture equipment, CO2 transport pipelines, and surveys of suitable locations for CO2 storage sites. Additionally, in conjunction with this joint study, we plan to proceed with specific studies on CO2 utilization.

The three companies aim to realize carbon neutral and zero carbon Hokkaido in 2050 while contributing to business creation and industrial and economic development in the Tomakomai area.

note)※

Hub & cluster type CCUS business: In addition to CCS business that captures and stores CO2 from one emission source, we also cover many emission sources in the region and use the CO2 effectively to reduce emissions as a society. CCUS business will be reduced a lot.

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<Reference: Three companies' business bases in the Tomakomai area >