Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)

What is the meaning of CCUS?

Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) is a leading-edge technology that captures carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from industrial processes and energy production. These emissions are then either repurposed in other applications or stored safely underground.

The process involved three primary steps:

1. Capture: This involves extracting CO₂ directly from emission sources like power stations or industrial facilities.
2. Storage: The compressed carbon dioxide is transported to its next point of use via pipelines, ships or by road.
3. Utilisation: At this stage, the CO₂ is either repurposed or injected into deep underground rock formations where it is permanently stored.

CCUS’ Pivotal Role in the Energy Transition

At John Crane, we address the world's energy transition challenge by developing innovative solutions that strengthen energy security and power a sustainable energy future. A key element of this resilient, sustainable new energy ecosystem is Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS). The International Energy Agency (IEA) recognise CCUS as a critical driver on the path to net zero emissions, particularly in energy-intensive sectors such as natural gas processing, chemical and cement. It is also a viable solution in countries with significant fossil fuel infrastructures. In the IEA’s Sustainable Development Scenario, more than half of the CO₂ captured by 2030 will be from retrofitted assets, with CCUS contributing approximately 9% of the world’s total CO₂ reduction.

CO2 capture and storage technology has advanced significantly over the last decade, with carbon capture facilities around the world producing measurable results. John Crane has been at the forefront of CCUS innovation for nearly three decades, enabling these mission-critical operations to make tangible progress in decarbonisation.

Our Approach to CCUS Innovation

Carbon capture solutions are central to John Crane’s vision for the energy industry’s sustainable future. We are working alongside oil and gas leaders and OEM partners to accelerate the deployment of scalable CCUS initiatives while enabling some of the most innovative carbon capture projects around the world. Approximately 80% of the CO₂ injected underground in existing CCUS sites use John Crane’s dry gas seals for sequestration and enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Since our first CCUS application three decades ago, we’ve more than 1,100 references in CO₂ sealing and related applications, including supercritical fluid conditions — supporting our industry’s critical decarbonisation goals.

While new carbon dioxide capture technologies are paramount to successful CCUS deployment, investing in reliable, safe transport and storage infrastructure for CO₂ is equally critical. We are actively investing in new carbon dioxide sealing and filtration technologies that accelerate CCUS progress, including next-generation sealing for supercritical carbon dioxide and liquid removal from CO₂ fluid streams. As CCUS systems become more complex — and more fundamental to the energy ecosystem — John Crane is committed to providing reliable, world-changing solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enabling CCUS Progress Worldwide

Proven CCUS Expertise

For nearly 30 years, John Crane has equipped CCUS operations with safe, reliable solutions. Our track record includes a quarter-century of expertise in supercritical carbon dioxide sealing — one of the most critical challenges in scaling carbon capture deployment.

Extensive Global Service Network

The majority of the world’s operational CCUS facilities are in the oil and gas sector — an industry John Crane has proudly served for more than a century. Our extensive global service network provides access to localised technical expertise, helping CCUS customers ensure peak reliability, safety and efficiency in challenging operating environments.

Continuous Investment in Next-Generation Technologies

A CCUS innovator, John Crane is investing today in the carbon capture technologies that will power our industry’s future. These include innovative carbon dioxide sealing and filtration technologies such as advanced sealing for supercritical CO₂ and modular, small-scale CCUS solutions.

Enabling Australia’s Largest Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage Facility

John Crane was selected to provide dry gas sealing technologies for a joint venture of international oil and gas companies developing a major liquified natural gas (LNG) field off the Australian coast. The project would capture up to ~4 million tonnes per year of carbon dioxide, which would then be transported and permanently stored more than 1.5 kilometres underground. Reliably capturing and storing the CO₂ presented the project with considerable compressor sealing challenges, including handling supercritical fluids and navigating volatile temperature and pressure conditions.

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Proven Technology For CO₂ Compression

John Crane's CCUS experience began decades before the energy transition and net zero goals accelerated the adoption of this decarbonization solution. Since installing the first dry gas seal in a carbon capture facility in 1996, we've delivered more than 1,100 dry gas seal units for diverse carbon dioxide gas applications, including in supercritical fluid conditions. We're continuing this legacy of innovation by investing in designs that address the unique dynamics of supercritical carbon dioxide, including the need to reduce phase changes and liquid presence within the fluid.

As carbon emissions regulations tighten, John Crane’s dry gas seals, high-performance couplings and gas systems solutions remain critical to scaling CO₂ capture, transport and storage. Our dry gas seals are ideal for centrifugal and integrally geared (IG) compressors — an emerging area in which we already have a proven track record — and deliver reliable compressor solutions for larger CO₂ volumes in storage or reinjection.

Advanced Pump Sealing Technologies for CCUS Operations

Pump applications are critical to every link in the CCUS value chain, from water intake and circulation to lean and rich amine circulation, carbon dioxide distribution and boiler feedwater applications. At the same time, liquid CO₂ pumping has become increasingly crucial for long-distance transport through pipelines or maritime channels. John Crane's mechanical seals, seal support systems, couplings and filtration play a pivotal role in each of these applications. Helping to maintain their reputation for reliability and safety amid even the most challenging CCUS operating conditions.

Innovations in CCUS Equipment and Process Filtration

Like pumping, filtration plays a crucial role across the CCUS value chain by ensuring the quality of CO₂, amine lean solutions and other relevant media for each application and end use. Filtration also protects critical equipment including compressors, pumps, turbines, engines, reactors and coolers. John Crane's filtration portfolio focuses on two critical CCUS applications: equipment filtration, with a proven track record in seal gas conditioning, fuel gas conditioning and lube oil filtration; and process filtration, supported by a robust offering of filter systems for water pre-filtration, modular carbon capture units and more.