Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: Aramco introduced Saudi Arabia's first CO2 Direct Air Capture (DAC) test unit, capable of removing 12 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year.

The pilot plant, developed with Siemens Energy, marks a step forward in Aramco's efforts to expand its DAC capabilities, as per the company’s press release.

The facility will serve as a testing platform for new CO2 capture materials suited to Saudi Arabia's climate. Aramco also aims to reduce costs, potentially accelerating DAC technology deployment across the region. The company plans to continue collaborating with Siemens Energy to scale up the technology, potentially paving the way for large-scale DAC facilities in the future.

Ali A. Al-Meshari, Aramco's Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight and Coordination, emphasized the significance of DAC systems in tackling emissions, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors. He described the test unit as a key step in scaling viable DAC systems for deployment in Saudi Arabia and beyond. He further added that the captured CO2 can also be used to create more sustainable chemicals and fuels.

The project reflects Aramco's commitment to carbon capture as part of its strategy to achieve net-zero emissions and reduce Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions across its wholly-owned operated assets by 2050. The company is pursuing both point-source carbon capture and DAC technology as part of its circular carbon economy approach.

This latest move follows Aramco's December 2024 agreement with Linde and SLB to develop a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) hub in Jubail. The hub's first phase is expected to capture nine million tonnes of CO2 from three Aramco gas plants and other industrial sources.