Oxy, White Energy studying possible carbon-capture plant

Occidental Petroleum Corp. and White Energy agreed to evaluate the feasibility of a carbon capture, utilization, and storage project that would capture carbon dioxide at White Energy’s ethanol infrastructure in Hereford and Plainview, Tex.

The CO₂ would be moved to the Permian basin where Oxy would use it for enhanced oil recovery operations. White Energy of Plano, Tex., produces biofuels.

“Carbon-capture technologies have the potential to play a critical role in reducing global emissions, and this project is an important first step in cross-industry collaboration,” said Vicki Hollub, Oxy president and chief executive officer.

A 6-month engineering study will examine the costs of building a carbon-capture plant. If Oxy and White Energy determine the proposed project is economically feasible, operations could begin as soon as 2021, Oxy said.