At the World Government Summit in Dubai, ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) announced on Monday the launch of a pioneering pilot project to be based in Fujairah. Utilizing 44.01’s Earthshot award-winning Carbon Capture and Mineralization (CCM) technology, the project is set to permanently mineralize CO2 from the atmosphere, due to the unique geological formations found in the Emirate.

ADNOC’s Chief Technology Officer, Sophie Hildebrand, highlighted that this endeavour is part of the company’s larger commitment to invest $15 billion from now until 2030 in low carbon solutions and projects aimed at reducing their carbon footprint, as part of their target to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050. 

She further underlined the significant role of the private sector and all sectors of the industry to combat climate change, emphasizing the need for organizations of all sizes, from multinational corporations to small start-ups, to do their part to improve the air we breathe.

Hildebrand highlighted that Fujairah was the ideal location for this trial because of its abundance of peridotite, a type of rock that has the ability to interact with carbon dioxide in a natural way. 

“Under the project, CO2 will be captured from the air, dissolved in seawater, and then injected into peridotite formations deep underground, where it will mineralise – ensuring that it cannot escape back into the atmosphere,” explained Hildebrand.

“Removing CO2 from the atmosphere is vital if we are to halt and ultimately reverse climate change. Unlike CO2 storage, mineralisation removes CO2 permanently by turning it into rock, minimising the need for long-term monitoring and insurance.”