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Emissions reduction

What if we were able to reduce CO2 and reuse it as raw material?


At Repsol, we want to play an important role in the fight against climate change by improving the sustainability and efficiency of our products and industrial processes, as well as by promoting the development of new low-emissions energy businesses. At the Repsol Technology Lab, we employ innovation and technology to achieve these goals. Our researchers search for solutions throughout our entire value chain in order to make our businesses more efficient and competitive. We also explore ways to reduce the impact of CO2 by reusing it in the creation of new materials to reduce its impact on the environment.

Carbon capture, use, and storage video

Capture, store, and reduce emissions

At the Repsol Technology Lab, we are working to reduce the emissions of our production processes and develop methods for reusing the CO2 that has been emitted into the atmosphere. Carbon Capture, Use, and Storage (CCUS) technology involves the capture of carbon dioxide (CO2), its transportation via ships or pipelines, and its eventual use as a resource to create valuable products or services. This technology will play a key role in our goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Car crossing a bridge

Biofuels

We are committed to fuels derived from renewable sources that release CO2 without net carbon emissions when burned.

H2 tank

Renewable hydrogen

Using renewable hydrogen along with low-carbon liquid fuels is vital for decarbonization. Therefore, we continue to focus on developing technology solutions at Repsol aimed at producing low-carbon hydrogen that will enable us to keep advancing towards the energy transition.

Two employees in white coats and safety goggles at a computer

CO2 reused as raw material in chemicals and new products

We are developing technologies to convert CO2 for use as a raw material with a wide range of opportunities, ranging from the synthesis of polymers and the creation of synthetic fuel, to incorporating it into construction materials.

This activity requires expert knowledge in designing processes, products, and applications. CCUS is a set of technologies that is strongly supported by EU Directives as a way to achieve CO2 reduction objectives.

A leaf growing out of a tree trunk

Developing new ways to capture CO2

Carbon capture can be applied on a large scale to many emissions processes, including coal and gas power generation, natural gas processing, and fertilizer production, as well as in other industrial sectors such as cement, iron and steel, paper, and petroleum refining. 

At the Repsol Technology Lab, we are developing new separation technologies with the goal of reducing costs and facilitating the large-scale commercial deployment of CCUS opportunities.

View of mountain formations in a wooded area

Changing the way we store CO2

Geological storage consists of injecting captured CO2 into rock formations deep underground. Suitable land must have rocks with certain porous and permeable characteristics, as well as upper barriers that serve as seals for permanently containing the CO2.

We are collaborating in the development of tools such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers' Storage Resource Management System (SRMS), which provides guidelines on how to classify storage resources and evaluates maturity levels for consideration in these projects..

A refinery with lots of red and white smokestacks

Reducing the carbon footprint at refineries

Currently it is estimated that 20% of the CO2 emissions in refining processes is associated with the generation of hydrogen, a component that allows us to improve the technical and environmental quality of our products. To this end, we are developing low emissions technologies like photoelectrocatalysis, which allows for the production of green hydrogen through solar energy.

Our researchers are also working to reduce emissions of methane at refineries. All our refineries now use natural gas in their processes, thus minimizing these emissions due to the lower levels of carbon.

The vision of our experts

Adriana Orejas. Director of Downstream technology projects

Adriana Orejas 

CO2 capture technologies

"Engineering enables technological solutions that, through sustainable production, we can bring closer to society."

View Adriana's profile
Jacobo Canal Vila. Expert in CO2 storage and mineralization

Jacobo Canal Vila 

Doctorate in Civil Engineering

"CCUS is a combination of technologies that will enable the industry to achieve its ambitious goal of net zero emissions."

View Jacobo's profile
Jordi Pedrola Vidal. Expert in Project Development

Jordi Pedrola Vidal 

Expert in CO2 storage

"CCUS technologies are a key element for complying with the Paris Agreement's emissions reduction commitment."

View Jordi's profile
Maria Dolores Blanco. Degree in Chemical Sciences

Maria Dolores Blanco 

Degree in Chemical Sciences

"Carbon Capture and Use (CCUS) technologies are necessary to achieving the goals we have set in our commitment to fight climate change."

View Maria Dolores's profile

Broadening our collaborations each day to reduce emissions

Circular economy pictogram

Integrating CO2 into the circular economy

The Spanish Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry, a public-private partnership led by the industry and which includes the participation of all the chemical sector stakeholders. It encourages cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and experiences in the field of sustainable chemistry. This association boosts the chemical sector's circular economy with the capture and reuse of CO2 being one of its main projects.

Discover Suschem
R&D pictogram

Driving Spanish R&D toward CO2

An initiative launched by the private sector, research centers, and Spanish universities, whose mission is to boost the development and implementation of Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS) technologies, with the aim of Spain meeting its commitment to reduce emissions and achieve a CO2 sector that's cost-effective and competitive. 

More about PteCo2
Fire pictogram

Supporting the initiative to reduce flaring

Gas flares serve as a safety mechanism at hydrocarbon plants. Their function is to eliminate gases and fluids through controlled burning to eliminate the risks involved with having to store the gases locally or releasing them directly into the atmosphere.

The World Bank's Zero Routine Flaring initiative is committed to finding viable solutions to minimize routine flaring by no later than 2030.

Discover The World Bank

Sector leading partnership rising to the CO2 challenge

The fight against climate change has become such an important challenge that companies in the energy sector decided to join forces to form one large partnership called the Oil & Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI). This voluntary, industry-led initiative is headed by CEOs from the 13 of the world’s major energy companies who want to lead the sector's response to the threat of climate change. 

Among the main focuses of the OGCI is the implementation of CCUS (Carbon Capture, Use, and Storage) technologies and the investment in companies and startups that are developing these technologies through its OGCI Climate Investments fund created in 2016.

Learn more about OGCI

Snowy mountains

Net zero emissions by 2050

We are the first energy company to take on the commitment to become net zero by 2050.

Learn more about our strategy