In 2023, Wood launched a Joint Industry Partnership (JIP) to tackle a critical yet often overlooked challenge in the carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) value chain: impurities in CO₂ streams. One year on from the release of the JIP’s industry guidelines, it’s clear this collaboration is setting a lasting benchmark for CCUS development.
While the International Energy Agency (IEA) reports over 700 CCUS projects in development, the technology continues to face challenges in gaining the commercial momentum needed to scale.
Two major barriers to progress are complexity and cost. These can be addressed through a hub or industrial cluster approach, where multiple emitters capture CO2 and share transport and storage infrastructure. This model enables economies of scale and distributes investment across asset owners and emitters, which can offer significant commercial advantages but also introduces technical challenges.
One of the most pressing issues is the need for precise fluid and system specifications to ensure safe and cost-effective CCUS chain design. Contaminant tolerance limits must be strictly maintained during operations to avoid compromising the integrity of the entire system.
To tackle this, Wood led a Joint Industrial Partnership (JIP) in collaboration with 17 leading organisations including operators, academic institutions, certification bodies and research centres to develop a unified approach.
Over the course of 18 months, over 200 subject matter experts contributed their insights, supported by regular steering committee meetings, in-person workshops, and rigorous project management.
The result was the Industry Guidelines for Setting the CO₂ Specification in CCUS Chains, a comprehensive suite of 12 reports covering the full CCUS lifecycle, from capture to permanent geological storage.
One year on: A measurable impact
Since their release, the guidelines have been downloaded over 4,000 times and have become a trusted resource for developers, engineers and policymakers navigating the complexities of CO₂ conditioning. Their open-access format has been instrumental in driving widespread adoption, helping projects move toward final investment decisions with greater confidence and reduced risk.
The challenge was clear: blending CO₂ from multiple emitters into a single storage site introduces impurities that can jeopardise the entire chain. Until now, there was no industry standard to manage this risk. Our work has filled that gap, offering clarity and confidence to stakeholders across the value chain – from source industries and transport operators to storage providers and technology developers.
Recognition and future outlook.
Since launching in 2024, the project has received multiple accolades for its collaborative approach and contribution to de-risking future CCUS hub developments. These accolades include the Energy Transition Project of the Year award at the Oil and Gas Middle East Awards and the Collaboration Project of the Year at the UK’s SPE Offshore Achievement Awards – both testament to the power of cross-sector cooperation in overcoming technological barriers.
Looking ahead, the success of this initiative has inspired us to explore similar collaborative models for emerging technologies such as ammonia and hydrogen. As the energy sector transforms, we believe that open, inclusive partnerships will be key to unlocking scalable, sustainable solutions.