Japan Petroleum Exploration (JAPEX) began drilling its second exploratory well for carbon dioxide (CO₂) storage to advance the Tomakomai carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in the Tomakomai area of Hokkaido.

Undertaken for drilling on Aug. 15, the well utilizes extended reach drilling from a drilling rig in Masago-cho, Tomakomai City, toward the seabed to confirm the existence of formations suitable for CO₂ storage.

Drilling of this second exploratory well follows start of exploratory drilling for the project in late 2025.

Launched for initial study in 2023, the Tomakomai CCS project aims to separate and capture CO₂ from Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd.'s Hokkaido refinery and Hokkaido Electric Power Co. Inc.'s Tomato Atsuma power station. The CO₂ will be injected underground by JAPEX.

While JAPEX said it intends to make a final investment decision (FID) on the Tomakomai CCS project based on combined results of both exploratory wells, the company did not specify a timeframe for when FID would occur.

The partners previously said they intend to achieve a CO₂-storage volume of 1.5-2 million tonnes/year in 2030.