Choo Hyung-wook, President of SK E&S, Requests Support for 'CCS-Based Blue Hydrogen Project' in Australia

Minister Chris Bowen "Understands the Importance of Barossa Gas Field Development"

SK E&S announced on the 26th that it had discussed blue hydrogen production based on liquefied natural gas (LNG) resource development with the Australian government. SK E&S requested government-level support for the Barossa gas field and carbon capture and storage (CCS) project currently being developed in Australia.

On the previous day, Choo Hyung-wook, CEO of SK E&S, met with Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia, at the SK Seorin Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to discuss the Barossa gas field and Bayu-Undan CCS project in Australia. The Barossa gas field in Australia is a project in which SK E&S has been involved since 2012. SK E&S plans to apply CCS technology to the Barossa gas field to produce low-carbon LNG, importing 1.3 million tons annually to Korea for use in blue hydrogen production and other purposes.

CEO Choo said, "The core of energy transition is hydrogen, the next-generation eco-friendly energy source," adding, "Mass production of blue hydrogen will expand the hydrogen ecosystem and serve as a foothold for carbon neutrality."

He stated, "We plan to capture all carbon dioxide generated in the Barossa gas reservoir during natural gas production and the carbon dioxide emitted during blue hydrogen production in Korea, and transport and store it through the Bayu-Undan CCS located in East Timor via the Darwin LNG terminal in Australia."

He also emphasized, "If SK E&S’s blue hydrogen project utilizing CCS is successfully promoted, it will not only contribute to domestic energy transition policies but also open new growth opportunities for Australia.”

On the 25th, at the SK Seorin Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Choo Hyung-wook, CEO of SK E&S (right), and Chris Bowen, Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy, are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by SK E&S

Minister Bowen said, "I understand that the development of the Barossa gas field is an important project for SK E&S," and added, "Australia has begun revising regulations related to carbon transport and aims to proceed swiftly."

In response, CEO Choo said, "The Barossa gas field development project based on CCS is a meaningful project promoted as part of ESG management emphasized by the SK Group," adding, "Nationally, it is expected to enhance energy security and contribute to achieving global carbon neutrality."

Meanwhile, Minister Bowen visited Korea from the 24th to 25th of this month and met with domestic companies including SK E&S to discuss cooperation plans for business in Australia.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.