Carbon capture technology has advanced considerably, with solvent-based systems now capable of extracting CO2 from flue gas, compressing and transporting it for underground injection with relative security. However, according to OilPrice, these technical achievements mask a more fundamental challenge: the industry's continued focus on engineering overlooks the commercial realities that determine project success or failure. The debate surrounding carbon capture often centers on whether the technology works, when the more pressing question is whether it can be profitable.
The gap between announced carbon capture projects and those reaching construction reveals that technical capability is no longer the limiting factor. A cement plant equipped with state-of-the-art capture systems can still lose money on every tonne of CO2 removed. Similarly, storage sites that are technically sound and operationally ready often remain empty for lack of contracted volumes to justify their use. Pipeline infrastructure faces comparable economics challenges, underscoring how engineering excellence alone cannot bridge the viability gap.
For carbon capture to scale beyond niche applications, the industry must shift focus from whether projects can capture carbon to whether they can do so at costs competitive with alternative solutions. Without robust commercial frameworks—including reliable pricing mechanisms, long-term offtake agreements, and operational cost efficiencies—even technically superior projects will struggle to secure financing and move forward.