Natural Gas, LNG, Energy Transition, Refined Products, NGLs, Carbon, Emissions, LPG
October 23, 2026
INPEX starts FEED work on Bonaparte CCS Project in Australia
Editor:
HIGHLIGHTS
INPEX targets first CO₂ injection in the early 2030s
Project expected to cut CO₂ emissions from Ichthys LNG by 40%
INPEX to acquire Woodside's 21% stake in Bonaparte CCS
Japan's INPEX Corp. said Oct. 23 it has started front-end engineering design work on its operated Bonaparte Carbon Capture and Storage Project in the Bonaparte Basin, about 250 kilometers offshore from Darwin, Australia.
"Achieving FEED entry is a significant milestone and provides a clear demonstration of progress toward a final investment decision on the Bonaparte CCS Project, which has the potential to be one of the world's largest carbon storage developments," INPEX said in a statement.
INPEX said the Bonaparte CCS Project, in which it holds a 53% stake alongside TotalEnergies CCS Australia Pty. Ltd. (26%) and Woodside Energy Ltd. (21%), has the potential to underpin a strategic regional low-carbon hub by leveraging proven geological resources offshore the Northern Territory, existing energy infrastructure and proximity to major regional markets.
The Bonaparte CCS Project became the first offshore CCS project to be awarded major project status by the Australian government in mid-2025 and received approval for the declaration of an identified greenhouse gas storage formation in October.
INPEX said the first CO₂ injection is targeted for the early 2030s, subject to regulatory approvals and commercial agreements, with the Ichthys Joint Venture expected to serve as the anchor customer.
The company said the Bonaparte CCS Project has the potential to reduce CO₂ emissions from its operated Ichthys LNG project by about 40%.
The Ichthys LNG project involves piping gas from the offshore Ichthys field in the Browse Basin, northwestern Australia, over 890 km (552 miles) to its onshore LNG plant near Darwin.
The project has a nameplate capacity of 9.3 million metric tons/year of LNG across two trains, 1.65 million mt/y of LPG and more than 100,000 barrels/day of condensate at peak, according to INPEX.
INPEX said its subsidiary, INPEX Browse E&P Pty. Ltd., is transferring its 53% stake in the project to the newly formed entity INPEX Bonaparte CCS Pty. Ltd.
This entity has also executed an agreement with Woodside to acquire its 21% stake in the Bonaparte CCS Project, increasing INPEX's stake to 74% and reinforcing its long-term commitment to advancing the project, INPEX said.
The finalization of both acquisitions is subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions, including approval from Australian government regulatory agencies, according to INPEX.
