AmCham and Mindsets explore the role of CCUS in Saudi Arabia’s energy transition

At an event held yesterday in Al Khobar, senior leaders and government officials explored Saudi Arabia’s energy transition strategy, with a particular emphasis on Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS). The centrepiece of the gathering was the launch of a new white paper on the topic, developed by Mindsets.

Organised by the Energy Committee of AmCham Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the US Chamber of Commerce, the event at Le Méridien in Al Khobar examined the potential for expanding the use of CCUS in the Saudi market as part of the Kingdom’s broader renewable energy ambitions.

Accelerating the energy transition in Saudi Arabia is a key goal of Vision 2030, as the Kingdom seeks to diversify its economy, reduce the carbon intensity of its energy system and position itself as a leader in sustainable development.

Within this ambition, CCUS is emerging as an important enabler, as it allows Saudi Arabia to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors while continuing to leverage its existing hydrocarbons infrastructure and industrial strengths.

The role of CCUS

Appointed as Knowledge Partner of the Energy Committee, Mindsets conducted strategic research into the current state of CCUS in Saudi Arabia and its future potential. The report’s key findings underscore CCUS’s essential role in emissions reduction, industrial competitiveness and energy security across critical sectors, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, power generation and heavy industry.

Key takeaways from the white paper and discussions at the event include:

The concept phase for CCUS is now over – the technology has entered the execution phase. Saudi Arabia is moving ahead with multiple initiatives, with the Eastern Province leading the way in building capacity.

While the engineering and technical foundations are largely in place, the regulatory framework for CCUS remains underdeveloped. The Mindsets report recommends that policymakers update and strengthen existing policy frameworks to support the technology’s continued roll-out.

Another key finding relates to deployment strategy. As single, standalone projects can be relatively cost-ineffective, the researchers recommend the development of CCUS ‘hubs’ and integrated projects. By using shared infrastructure, such as pipelines across multiple industries, costs can be driven down, significantly improving the commercial viability of CCUS.

Pathways

At the event, experts from companies including Baker Hughes, ExxonMobil, Air Products Qudra and Lummus Technology shared valuable perspectives on technological innovation and decarbonisation pathways.

A panel discussion moderated by Mindsets facilitated dialogue on accelerating CCUS adoption, highlighting the critical importance of cross-sector collaboration and resilient infrastructure development.

Reflecting on its role, Mindsets stated: “Our work with the Energy Committee of AmCham Saudi Arabia underscores CCUS’s position as a cornerstone technology in Saudi Arabia’s sustainable energy future. We look forward to supporting continued initiatives that advance the Kingdom’s energy transformation.”