Setor de captura de carbono pede regulação do mercado

Spanish Market: Biofuels, Crude oil
09/10/23

Participantes do mercado de captura e armazenamento de carbono (CCS, na sigla em inglês) pedem um marco regulatório claro para tornar o mercado comercialmente viável.

O governo federal deve traçar uma visão estratégica para que o CCS possa ajudar a descarbonizar o setor industrial do país e, consequentemente, contribuir para a meta de zerar as emissões de CO2 até 2050, de acordo com participantes do mercado. Um projeto de lei está tramitando em Brasília.

"Para termos resultados no futuro, precisamos de segurança jurídica", disse Heloisa Esteves, diretora de Petróleo, Gás e Biocombustíveis na Empresa de Pesquisa Energética (EPE), em uma conferência do setor, na semana passada, em São Paulo.

O projeto de lei que visa criar um mercado regulado de carbono prevê que empresas com emissões acima de 10.000t de CO2e/ano relatem reduções ao Sistema Brasileiro de Comércio de Emissões (SBCE). O texto foi aprovado, recentemente, pela Comissão de Meio Ambiente do Senado, e agora precisa ser encaminhado ao Congresso.

Se aprovada, a legislação teria papel semelhante à Política Nacional de Biocombustíveis (Renovabio) na formalização do mercado de créditos de descarbonização (Cbios), disse Alexandre Calmon, advogado especializado no setor de energia. "O Renovabio serviu de embrião para o mercado brasileiro de carbono", ele afirmou à Argus.

Outros participantes do evento citaram a importância de implementar rapidamente a regulação para captura e armazenamento de carbono para impulsionar investimentos e pesquisas, à medida que crescem as discussões sobre o assunto. A decisão dos senadores também gerou polêmica ao excluir o setor agrícola de seu escopo.

Em agosto, o Senado aprovou um projeto de lei que atribui a regulação do CCS à Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP). Além de permitir projetos comerciais de armazenamento de carbono no país, o texto cria um sistema de autorização para o setor. A proposta ainda não foi apreciada pelo Congresso.

As expectativas são altas, pois o país pode armazenar e capturar até 190 milhões de t/ano de CO2, de acordo com estudo publicado pela CCS Brasil, um centro de pesquisas especializado no setor. O Brasil poderia gerar até $20 bilhões/ano com projetos de CCS, de acordo com a presidente da organização, Isabela Morbach.

Rota da bioenergia

A indústria brasileira de biocombustíveis também está considerando projetos de captura e armazenamento de carbono pela rota da bioenergia (BECCS, na sigla em inglês), que representa o segundo maior potencial do país para CCS.

A produtora de etanol de milho FS está investindo R$350 milhões em um projeto em sua planta de Lucas do Rio Verde, em Mato Grosso, para gerar etanol carbono negativo, que envolve capturar e armazenar mais CO2 do que é gerado na produção do combustível.

A Uisa, empresa sucroalcooleira da região Centro-Oeste, também anunciou planos de BECCS para injetar carbono proveniente da produção de etanol em sua unidade de Nova Olímpia, também em Mato Grosso.

Grande produtor canavieiro, o estado de São Paulo também estuda novas iniciativas. O coordenador da secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento do estado, Alberto Amorim, disse à Argus que o governo quer investir em CCS por meio do setor sucroalcooleiro.

A Petrobras, que reinjeta gás e CO2 em seus campos de petróleo, também está de olho em soluções renováveis.

"A Petrobras tem interesse em transportar e armazenar carbono por meio de parcerias com outras empresas, que poderiam ser indústrias de bioenergia", contou Savana Fraulob, gerente de Contabilidade e Tributário da estatal, à Argus. "É uma estrutura muito cara. Então, para quem quiser embarcar nessa conosco, estamos, realmente, estudando esta possibilidade."

Por Laura Guedes

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

20/05/25

Shell CEO defends 'resilient investment strategy'

London, 20 May (Argus) — Shell chief executive Wael Sawan defended the company's "resilient investment strategy" at its annual shareholder meeting today, as directors faced a barrage of questions from climate-focused investors. A resolution calling for more details on Shell's LNG strategy gained over 20pc support, a level consistent with climate-related votes in previous years . But absent this year were the disruptive climate protests that have marked past meetings. This was partly due to Shell's choice of venue, London's Heathrow Airport, which has a five-year High Court injunction banning environmental protests on site. Still, climate-conscious shareholders dominated the discussion. One questioned how Shell could justify expanding oil and gas operations when the IEA's net zero emissions by 2050 scenario suggests no new oil and gas projects are needed. Shell's chairman Andrew Mackenzie responded that the IEA's scenario is just one of many and includes conditional commitments made by governments that may not materialise. "We see a phase of continuing growth, particularly in the use of gas and especially in LNG, that we think is appropriate to invest in," he said. Sawan pointed out that most of the net present value from Shell's oil and gas projects will be realised before 2040, "and so this is a very resilient investment strategy that we are offering our shareholders". He also highlighted that Shell has $20bn of capital invested in low-carbon alternatives such as biofuels, hydrogen and electric vehicle charging. "It is in our interest... to see that market grow," he said. A key focus was Resolution 22, filed by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR), which called on Shell to explain how its LNG strategy aligns with its climate goals. "We believe that shareholders still don't have the information that they need to properly assess the risks associated with this strategy," said the ACCR's Sarah Brewin. The scale of Shell's uncontracted LNG out to 2050 exposes the company and its shareholders to "significant risk should prices fall and demand soften", she said. The company's LNG outlook "is highly optimistic and increasingly out of step with global trends", she added. Shell's board opposed the resolution, arguing that its strategy is based on a range of scenarios — including one exploring the impact of AI on energy demand. Its 2025 LNG Outlook, based on Wood Mackenzie data, forecasts a 60pc rise in global LNG demand by 2040, driven by economic growth in Asia and decarbonisation in heavy industry and transport. While the resolution did not pass, Shell said it will prepare a note within six months detailing its LNG market outlook, its LNG business strategy and how these align with its climate commitments. By Jon Mainwaring Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Brazil to walk tightrope in Cop 30 fossil fuel talks

20/05/25

Brazil to walk tightrope in Cop 30 fossil fuel talks

Rio de Janeiro, 20 May (Argus) — Brazil is arguing that its developing country status allows it to consolidate its position as a major crude producer and is likely to lean on developed countries during much-awaited discussions on moving away from fossil fuels at the UN Cop 30 climate conference in November. Attempts to reach an ambitious outcome on mitigation — cutting greenhouse gas emissions — and actions to move away from fossil fuels were quashed at Cop 29 in Baku last year, and all eyes are on Brazil to bridge divides on this issue . Cop 30 president-designate Andre Correa do Lago has failed to address fossil fuels in his two letters outlining priorities for the summit, but members of the Cop 30 team have indicated the issue will be on the agenda. With geopolitical tensions and energy security questions redirecting government priorities away from the energy transition, the outlook is more challenging than when Cop parties agreed the global stocktake (GST) conclusion on fossil fuels and energy in 2023 . But Brazil is well-placed to take the lead. It is a respected player in climate discussions and has one of the cleanest energy mix — 49pc of its energy and 89pc of its electricity comes from renewables. Its own mitigation efforts prioritize slashing deforestation, which accounts for the lion's share of Brazil's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Non-profit World Resources Institute Brazil describes the emissions reduction target in Brazil's nationally determined contribution (NDC) — climate plan — as "reasonable to insufficient" and notes that energy emissions are expected to increase by 20pc in the decade to 2034. Its NDC avoids any concrete steps towards winding down crude. After you The government's view on fossil fuels is that Brazil's developing country status, the oil and gas industry's importance in its economy and comparatively low fossil fuel emissions justify pushing ahead with oil production. Correa do Lago said earlier that Belem was picked as a venue for Cop 30 to show that Brazil is still a developing country, adding that any decision on oil and gas should be taken by Brazil's citizens. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that oil revenue will fund the energy transition. It is a position that has earned Brazil accusations of hypocrisy from environmentalists at home and abroad, but which also places it as a possible model for other hydrocarbon-producer developing countries. Brazil's diplomatic tradition of pragmatically balancing seemingly opposing positions could serve it well here, said Gabriel Brasil, a senior analyst focused on climate at Control Risks, a consultancy. He does not see Brazil's attempt to balance climate leadership with continued oil production as hurting its standing among fellow parties or energy investors. Civil society stakeholders hope pre-Cop meetings will help bring clarity on how Brazil might broach the fossil fuel debate. Indigenous groups, which are set to be given more space at Cop, are demanding an end to fossil fuel extraction in the environmentally sensitive Foz do Amazonas offshore basin. Meanwhile, Brazilian state-owned Petrobras moved one step closer to being authorized to begin offshore drilling there . During meetings of the UN climate body — the UNFCCC — in Panama City this week, the Cop 30 presidency will present ideas for the summit "with a focus on the full implementation of the GST". But it has to wait for countries to update their NDCs to gauge what is achievable on mitigation. Only 20 have submitted new NDCs so far, with the deadline pushed back to September. Brazil's own NDC gives some clues. It welcomes the launch "of international work for the definition of schedules for transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems" and reiterates that developed countries should take the lead. And a report commissioned by Brazil's oil chamber IBP and civil society organization ICS to be given to negotiators ranks Brazil as a "mover" in the transition away from oil and gas, ahead of "adapters" like India and Nigeria but behind "front-runners" Germany and the US. The research develops the idea of a country-based transition plan, using criteria such as energy security and institutional and social resilience, as well as oil and gas relevance. By Constance Malleret 2023 Brazil emissions sources Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Libyan crude returns to Asia after one-month hiatus

20/05/25

Libyan crude returns to Asia after one-month hiatus

London, 20 May (Argus) — Libyan crude is once again heading to Asia-Pacific after exports to the region came to a complete halt in April — the first such pause since August 2020, according to Argus tracking data. The Suezmax Sea Sapphire departed Libya's Zueitina port on 15 May with around 1mn bl of light sweet crude bound for Thailand's Ko Sichang terminal, where it is expected to arrive on 26 June, according to Vortexa and Kpler. It marks the first Libyan crude cargo to load for Asia-Pacific since March, and flows to the region averaged 76,000 b/d in the first three months of this year. Despite favourable arbitrage conditions in April — the Brent-Dubai EFS more than halved on the month to 30¢/bl in March when April-loading cargoes were trading — no Libyan crude was loaded for the region last month. Buyers in Asia-Pacific appear to have opted for light sour Caspian CPC Blend instead. Shipments of the Caspian grade to Asia-Pacific hit a two-year high of 541,000 b/d in April, supported by weaker price differentials. But with eastbound arbitrage shipments now less workable, most May and June-loading CPC Blend supplies are heading to Europe, according to traders. This may have prompted Asia-Pacific refiners to turn back to Libyan grades. Thailand has been a regular buyer of Libyan crude, taking 16 cargoes in 2022 and nine in 2023, according to Argus tracking data. The Sea Sapphire is already the third Libyan cargo to load this year, matching the total for the whole of 2024. A second Suezmax cargo of Libyan crude is scheduled to depart Marsa al-Hariga on 27 May and arrive at China's Ningbo port on 24 June, although the fixture remains unconfirmed. Despite renewed interest from Asia-Pacific, Libya's overall crude exports are scheduled to fall by 9pc on the month in May to 1.13mn b/d across its 12 grades, according to provisional loading programmes. By Ellanee Kruck Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Norway to implement ReFuelEU Aviation by 2027

20/05/25

Norway to implement ReFuelEU Aviation by 2027

London, 20 May (Argus) — Norway is planning to implement the EU's ReFuelEU Aviation regulations "as soon as possible, and no later than 2027", according to the transport minister. ReFuelEU Aviation entered into force in the EU on 1 January 2025, and will eventually require a 70pc sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) share in all EU airports from 2050. Norway is not part of the EU, but it wants the regulations to be incorporated into the European Economic Area (EEA) and into Norwegian law as soon as possible to "contribute to a level playing field in aviation in Europe". ReFuelEU would require Norwegian aircraft operators to gradually increase the volume of SAF in their fuel mix, starting with a 2pc share in 2025. "The government now wants to implement this as soon as possible," said transport minister Jon-Ivar Nygård. Norway established a sales requirement in 2020 that required aviation fuel suppliers to blend 0.5pc SAF. Norway's biofuels mandates align with EU sustainability criteria under the original renewable energy directive (RED) I, as part of EEA agreements. Norway has made stricter requirements for biofuels sales from the beginning of this year . It was consulting on three options for increases to the biofuels blending obligations for 2026 and 2027, in April . By Madeleine Jenkins Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Australia's Ampol to focus on EV charging: Correction

20/05/25

Australia's Ampol to focus on EV charging: Correction

Corrects sale details in paragraph 4 Sydney, 20 May (Argus) — Australian fuel retailer and refiner Ampol is shifting its focus to electric vehicle (EV) charging and renewable fuels by selling its electricity retail businesses in Australia and New Zealand, it said today. But Ampol will continue to refine oil at its 109,000 b/d Lytton refinery and import oil products. Ampol plans to sell all its shares in Ampol Energy Retail, excluding its EV charging business, to Australian energy retailer AGL Sales, the firm announced in an Australian Securities Exchange statement on 13 May. Ampol is also selling the energy retailing portion of its wholly-owned subsidiary Z Energy, known as Flick Energy, to New Zealand power company Meridian Energy. The firm is simplifying its approach to energy by focusing on the EV charging and renewable fuels sectors, it said. Further details on Ampol's divestment will be provided in its half-yearly results on 18 August 2025, the firm said. Ampol launched its decarbonisation and future energy strategy in May 2021. It has since made plans to complete the Lytton Ultra Low Sulphur Fuels project at the end of 2025 to produce gasoline specifications compliant with the new fuel standard by the Australian Federal Government. The firm has previously expressed the need for long-term policies to support the uptake of renewable fuels and remains committed to progressing its Brisbane renewable fuels study . Ampol plans to reach delivery of 500 EV charging bays in Australia by 2027. Ampol missed its target of 450 charging bays in Australia and New Zealand in 2024, delivering only 315, mainly because of complexities around grid connection and sluggish EV sales. By Grace Dudley and Tom Woodlock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more